2015 Adopt-a-Beehive News

Spring Donor Appreciation Event at UH Hilo Farm

This past March 14, 2015 the Adopt-a-Beehive with Alan Wong program held its annual spring donor appreciation event at the UH Farm. Donors of the program were invited to meet their student beekeepers, taste food samples made by Chef Alan Wong and Dr. Lorna Tsutsumi, view educational displays, as well as, walking tours to the bee garden and van tours though the apiary.

This year Makena Hanle, a Hilo Intermediate School student, presented the results of her science fair project that she did on the small hive beetle using the UH Hilo bee hives. She won first place at her school, qualified for the State competition and did well at Districts. She was acknowledged at the vent and congratulated by Chancellor Straney and Chef Wong.

Makena Hanle (Left, Hilo Intermediate Student) talks to Stacey Chun (Right, Department of Ag.) about her science fair project. Chancellor Donald Straney (left) and Chef Alan Wong (right) present Makena Hanle (middle), a Hilo Intermediate student, with a certificate of recognition and a gift certificate to Alan Wongs Restraunt in Honolulu. Chef Alan Wong talks with Michael Crowell, co-owner of Wailea Agricultural Group, and guests during the event. Beekeeping student Deborah Postma explains to donors about refining wax. Chef Alan Wong's staff serve castella cake and honey ice cream to guests. Beekeeping student Joshua Boranin meets his hive donors, Janie and Ed Oshiro.

Fall 2015 UH Hilo Food Showcase

The Fall 2015 semester at UH Hilo would bring new food options to students and to showcase these new vendors on campus UH Hilo held a food showcase. The Adopt-a-Beehive with Alan Wong program was asked to feature our honey! The UH Hilo honey is used in various food dishes throughout the year by Sodexo, the university food and catering service. At the showcase comb honey and creamed honey samples were given to students, faculty, and staff of UH Hilo.

Zoe Banfield (Left, UH Hilo Advanced beekeeping student) and Dr. Lorna Tsutsumi (Right, Professor of Entomology) pose at the Adopt-a-Beehive booth.

Adopt-A-Beehive Travels to Honolulu for the Hawaiʻi Food and Wine Festival

This year the Adopt-a-Beehive program was asked to participate in two events at the Honolulu Food and Wine Festival. The first was Paina on the Pier on Friday, September 11 and Keiki in the Kitchen on September 12, 2015.

Paina on the Pier, Featured chefs, local farmers, and food purveyors that got to taste some of the products that Hawaiʻi has to offer.

Dr. Lorna Tsutsumi (Left, Professor of Entomology) and Lisa Ebesugawa (Right, Apiary technician) at the Adopt-A-beehive display.

Keiki in the Kitchen, held at the Honolulu Zoo, promoted healthier eating lifestyles for families.

Dr. Lorna Tsutsumi (Left), UH Hilo beekeeping student Brandon Carvalho (middle) and Man vs. Food Televion personality Adam Richman (Right) at the Keiki in the Kitchen Event.

Fall Donor Event at the Pineapple Room

Adopters of the program were invited to attend the annual fall donor appreciation event at the Pineapple Room on Sunday October 4, 2015. Chef Alan Wong and his team served various food samples that included honey from the UH Hilo Hives.

Chef Alan Wong welcomes adopters and guests to the event. Chef Alan Wong takes a picture with Dr. Lorna Tsutsumi and her team from Hilo. Chef de Cuisine, Miya, prepares one of the food samples.

Sodexo Food Festival

Sodexo Dining Services held its 2015 Food Festival on October 29th, 2015 at the Campus Center Plaza. This event was coordinated to thank all of Sodexo's loyal customers. Vendors included our Adopt-a-Beehive with Alan Wong program, Suisan Fish, Rainbow Foods, LH Gamble, Eisenberg, and Suisan Produce. We served honeycomb samples and liliko'i/strawberry creamed honey samples to students and faculty who attended the event.

Beekeeping student, Kawehi Lopez, serves creamed honey samples while Dr. Lorna Tsutsumi (middle) and Lisa Ebesugawa (left) serve comb honey.