About the Adopt-a-Beehive Program

Ground breaking in Mapuhonehone (UH Hilo’s bee garden) during the unveiling of Adopt-A-Beehive with Alan Wong program. farm, Panaʻewa, Hawaiʻi. Left to right: Former CAFNRM Dean William Steiner, UH Hilo student Kekoa Yasuda, UH Hilo Chancellor Donald Straney, Dr. Lorna Tsutsumi, Representative Clift Tsuji, Chef Alan Wong, and Senator Gil Kahele. June 25, 2011

The Buzz

Chef Alan Wong teamed up with UH Hilo in 2011 to build awareness of the critical plight of honey bees through the successful launch of the inaugural Adopt-a-Beehive with Alan Wong program. Now offered for a second year, this innovative program supports the education of student beekeepers, promotes research and development of healthy beehive practices in Hawaiʻi, and educates the public about the vital role that honey bees play in sustaining agriculture.

You can participate by adopting a beehive for the 2016-2017 season at UH Hilo's Farm Laboratory in Pana'ewa. You will receive an official certificate of adoption, as well as periodic reports and photos of your assigned bee colony from the UH Hilo student taking care of your hive.

Other program benefits include a personal supply of honey/honey products, along with invitations to join Chef Alan Wong at bee- and agriculture-related activities held at UH Hilo and elsewhere.

Impact of Adopt-a-Beehive

Make a direct impact on the sustainability and health of Hawaiʻi's honey bee industry by joining Chef Alan Wong to:

1. Promote research and development of healthy beehive practices, increase the number of successfully managed beehive colonies in Hawaiʻi, and produce a steady pipeline of educated and experienced beekeepers, both professionals and hobbyists.
2. Support students in an educational setting in order to develop the next generation of innovative and progressive farmers.
3. Train student entrepreneurs in developing business opportunities using honey and honey by-products.
4. Educate the public about local food production and the need to reduce Hawaiʻi's dependency on imports, as well as about issues threatening honey bees' role in sustainable agriculture.

Adopt-a-Beehive Program Options

Each option lets you support the adoption of a beehive at the UH Hilo Farm Laboratory for one season, and entitles you to receive regular reports and invitations from the apiary.

Adoptions may be made in your own name, or you may designate another person to receive a gift adoption along with all the program benefits. Adopting a beehive for a child or a classroom is a great lesson in sustainability for the next generation!

September 2015 – May 2016 Season

¹ The gift basket for the Queen Bee level includes beauty, bath and food products from the UH Hilo apiary.

Note: Weather and other factors will dictate honey distribution dates, based on availability. Sign up early!

Chef Alan Wong (left) extracts honey with UH Hilo beekeeping student Cal Westgard. April 23, 2011.