Figure 1: In this picture you can see a varroa mite, a small, dark pink, oval shape on the upper left bee's back.

In its pure form, beekeeping is a joyful activity that can be peaceful and rewarding for beekeepers. Unfortunately, it is not quite as simple as it used to be because of the confluence of diseases now threatening bee populations worldwide.

Hawai‘i's geographic remoteness kept it isolated from the spread of new diseases for a long time. But in just the past few years, several new pathogens have arrived, with serious consequences for bees and beekeepers around the State. 

The three main pests affecting Hawai‘i Island include: 1) Varroa mite, 2) Small Hive Beetle, and 3) Nosema cerenae, a parasitic fungus. These pathogens are not related by cause and effect, but their impact does seem to 'pile up' — such that their combined effect is more serious (and complicated) than each one individually.

A Need for Commitment to Local Farmers and a Call to End Deceptive Advertising

This third annual report covers the amount of local produce versus imported produce in West Hawaii Today weekly foods ads. It covers from Aug. 2010 through Aug. 2011 [editor’s note: see the 2009 Report and the 2010 Report ]. Stores are visited regularly in order to compare with the actual advertising and gauge the relative amounts of local and imported produce in the store. We also monitor in-store displays and labeling of local produce as well as country-of-origin labeling.

A couple of conclusions became evident during the course of this year’s data accumulation. On the up side is a continuing trend showing increases in local produce promotion. On the down side is a disturbing continuation, if not growth, of deceptive advertising.

Is there anything more cheerful than a sunflower?

A year travels by quickly and it has been almost one year to the day marking my first visit to the Kilauea Community Garden. I was led here by curiosity–a desire to learn more about this new revolution in community gardening taking place on the island of Kaua‘i. At the heart of it is sustainability and a strong commitment to growing more local food using environmentally conscious methods and techniques. This garden, under the careful hands of the community, is yielding plants that are enormous specimens of their type, whether they are filled with fruit, flowers or seeds.

The Keaukaha-Pana’ewa Farmers Market is located on Railroad Ave. across from Home Depot in Hilo.

The newest farmers market on our island is the Keaukaha-Pana’ewa Farmers Market. It opened its doors on September 10, 2011 on one acre off Railroad Avenue across from Home Depot in Hilo. The market is open every Saturday from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm. From a starting number of 13 vendors, the market already houses 31 vendors leaving only 8 booth spots available. 

The Keaukaha-Pana’ewa Farmers Association’s mission statement and aim is “To support, motivate and educate Keaukaha-Pana’ewa agricultural lessees to establish a viable, sustainable farm community, preserve Hawaiian culture, achieve self sufficiency, strengthen pono management and respect for the ‘aina.” In keeping with the mission statement, the market is open to Hawaiian farmers and producers who lease Hawaiian Homelands, and to other entrepreneurs. The range of products runs from locally grown produce, baked goods, poi, fish, plants, value added food products and a few ready-to-eat food vendors.