Beekeeping at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo took center stage on PBS Hawaiʻi’s Home is Here series, showcasing the vital role bees play in agriculture and the university’s unique approach to hands-on learning.
Led by entomology Professor Lorna Tsutsumi, UH Hilo’s beekeeping program offers students a chance to gain practical experience in managing beehives while promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
“You can go to the internet and look at pictures with and without pollination, and you can see how that affects our food choices, our food supply,” said Tsutsumi. “And knowing that, it becomes absolutely essential that we not only encourage beekeeping for the products, but we encourage bees for pollination.”
Hands-on learning hub
The university’s agricultural farm laboratory in Panaʻewa serves as a learning hub where students actively engage with the campus apiary. Under Tsutsumi’s mentorship and with the support of farm manager Jake Rodrique, students not only learn the science of beekeeping but also develop a broader understanding of the ecological and cultural importance of bees. UH Hilo’s Adopt-a-Beehive Program, co-founded by renowned Chef Alan Wong, further supports these efforts by connecting community and sustainability through beekeeping education.
- Related UH News story: Bee-coming Sustainable: UH Hilo’s sweet solution to bee sustainability, April 23, 2024
For students like ʻIliahi Tancayo from Molokaʻi, the program has been a transformative experience.
“I haven’t been up close to a bee ever in my life prior to this class,” said Tancayo who is earning a beekeeping certificate. “So being able to be properly suited and, you know, the safety gear and procedures in place, like, just being up close in the apiary gave me more actual interest in the bees because I got to be in their environment instead of being on the outside looking at a tiny little bee.”
Adopt-a-hive
For those interested in adopting a beehive at the UH Hilo apiary, the program offers more than just a sponsorship. Adopters receive periodic updates and photos from UH Hilo students like Tancayo who are caring for their hives, along with a personal supply of honey and honey-related products.
For more go to UH Hilo Stories.
