The University of 撸sir视频ʻi at 贬颈濒辞’蝉 in Panaʻewa hosted Bee-coming Sustainable, an opportunity for community members who have adopted beehives to meet with beekeeping 撸sir视频 and witness the beehive they support on 撸sir视频 贬颈濒辞’蝉 farm. The special event on April 13 honored 撸sir视频, community donors, local farmers, island chefs, and others involved in the university’s collaborative bee program.
The event took place approximately 50 yards from the farm’s apiary, where sponsored beehives are housed.
“It was a wonderful gathering of like minded people who support the bees, sustainability, and the education of future beekeepers,” said Lorna Tsutsumi, an entomology professor from 撸sir视频 贬颈濒辞’蝉 , who coordinates the apiary program at the farm.
Buzz-worthy solutions
At the heart of the event is a community-based partnership between Tsutsumi and renowned master Chef Alan Wong. They co-founded the university’s program to bring attention to the honey bee industry in 撸sir视频ʻi and to provide local solutions for sustaining it. The program helps fund the education of student beekeepers and promotes research into healthy beehive practices.
At the event, Chef Wong and 撸sir视频 Hilo Chancellor Bonnie Irwin distributed scholarships to 撸sir视频 Hilo 撸sir视频 Beija Ramos-Phair-Langi and Macy Iliahi Park who each received $1,000 scholarships to support their studies. Valerie Zbezinski was awarded a beekeeping certificate.
Adopt-a-hive
Adopters receive periodic updates and photos from the 撸sir视频 Hilo 撸sir视频 caring for their hives, along with a personal supply of honey and honey-related products. They are also invited to join Chef Wong at special bee and agriculture-related events on campus or at the farm laboratory.
—By Susan Enright.