Mālama Pua: Helping Hawai'i's Pollinators

 

hb sunn hemp cropped636675411506901707

Honey bees (Apis mellifera, or nalo meli in Hawaiian) are the single most important pollinators for agriculture in Hawai'i. Annually, they contribute an estimated $212 million in pollination services in Hawai'i alone, largely in macadmia nut, coffee, and cucumber production. In 2017, Hawaiian honey was valued at $4.2 million and ranks first in the United States for pounds of honey produced per colony. The subtropical climate is ideal for year round honey production from specialty plants, such as ʻōhiʻa lehua and kiawe, as well as queen bee production (valued at over $10 million annually). Unfortunately, honey bees around the world face numerous threats, including introduced parasites and pathogens, pesticides, and inadequate nutrition from a lack of forage. Scientists at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa are actively collaborating to address research and extension needs for honey bees in the Aloha State.

 

Content on this website is still under construction - please check back frequently!

 

ATTENTION BEEKEEPERS: Please take a moment to fill out this quick survey, which will allow us to gather information on how CTAHR can best assist our beekeeping community!

 


 

BEEsources For:

  • Home Gardeners
  • Beekeepers
  • Farmers

Pollinator pledge board from the Urban Garden Center's Second Saturday at the Garden in Pearl City, June 9, 2018.Most have heard about the overwintering losses that bekeepers experience annually in the United States. There is a lot that home gardeners can do to help ensure honey bees and other pollinators have access to adequate nutrition throughout the landscape, by providing diverse flowers in gardens and supplementing solitary bee nesting habitat. Click to learn more!

Beekeepers in Hawaii are faced with many challenges unique to our subtropical environment, including year-round pest pressure and ensuring adequate nutrition for healthy colonies and good honey harvests! Hawaiian colonies produce more pounds of honey per capita than any other state, and our queen bee breeding industry is essential for continued success of mainland and Canadian operations. Click for more information!

The past few decades has seen a shift in Hawaiian agriculture from monocultures of sugarcane and pineapple to small diversified farms, which now account for 88% of agriculture in the state. Many of these crops rely at least in part on pollination services. Click to learn more about Best Management Practices (BMPs) that benefit pollinators on Hawaiian farms!

  • Exotic Bee ID

    Apis cerana female

    Some Bees are Invasive!

    While we may be isolated in the Pacific Ocean, Hawaii is dependent upon imports from Asia and the US mainland. As such, there is always the chance for invasive bees to be introduced that could have profound impacts for honey bees or pollinator-dependent plants. CLICK to learn more about potentially invasive bees.