2013 Adopt-a-Beehive News

December 10, 2013 Alan Wong Visits Kapiʻolani School

On December 10, 2013, Chef Alan Wong and his staff from Alan Wongs’ visited the sixth grade class of Kapiʻolani Elementary School on the Big Island. The class was gifted an adopted hive for the 2013-2014 season of the Adopt-a-beehive with Alan Wong program. A generous anonymous donor, gifted the hive to the sixth grade class and Chef Alan Wong and Dr. Lorna Tsutsumi were present to personally present the class with a certificate of adoption. The class of 24 students were broken down into 4 groups and rotated through 4 stations which educated the students on honey bee classifications, parts of a beehive, value added products, and honey tasting.

Chef Wong speaks to the students about honey bees and sustainabilityChef Alan Wong starts with an introduction about honey bees and their importance to sustainability of our food supply. Chef Wong presents certificate of adoption to classMs. Kahawai, sixth grade teacher and Chef Alan Wong with certificate of adoption. Stations were set up around the classroom to educate students on honey beesThree out of the four stations pictured which also included live bees in an observation hive! Chef Wong takes one last picture with the studentsChef Wong takes one last picture with the class.

November 23, 2013 First Annual Honey Festival at Nani Mau Gardens Panaewa, HI

The UH Hilo Beekeeping Program and Adopt-a-Beehive with Alan Wong Program was asked to participate at the First Annual Honey Festival by setting up an educational display. Free Beekeeping in Hawaiʻi Booklets published by Dr. Lorna Tsutsumi as well as handouts on the UH Hilo Bee Garden were handed out to the community.

UH Hilo Beekeeping Program educational display set-up at honey festivalUH Hilo Beekeeping display. Beekeeping students tending boothBeekeeping students Matt Barton, Andrea Barton, and Shohei Yamaki manning the booth. Andrea Barton talks to an attendeeAndrea Barton talks to attendees at the festival.

October 26, 2013 Just Married...

The bee garden “Mapuhonehone” at the UH Hilo Farm was honored to hold its first ever wedding! A UH Hilo staff member requested to hold his wedding reception at the UH Farm Pavilion, however after going to the farm to take a look at the facilities and visiting the bee garden he and then fiance Dawn decided that they wanted their wedding ceremony to be held in the bee garden. To commemorate this event a tree planting ceremony was held and the couple planted a red ʻōhiʻa lehua tree. Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Gavien DeMello!

The bride and groom exchange vows in the bee gardenThe bride and groom exchange vows during the wedding ceremony. The bride and groom participate in a tree planting ceremonyMr. and Mrs. DeMello participate in the tree planting ceremony.

October 4, 2013 Taste of the Hawaiian Range

Once again the Adopt-a-Beehive and UH Hilo Beekeeping programs participated in the Taste of the Hawaiian Range at the Hilton Hawaiian Hotel in Waikoloa. Dr. Lorna Tsutsumi set up educational displays and answered questions from the public.

UH Hilo beekeeping booth at taste of the hawaiian range

UH Hilo beekeeping booth

Dr. Tsutsumi answering questions from attendeesDr. Lorna Tsutsumi speaking to attendees.