HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0786.055 2022-2024M
From: Annie Stiefel ;
Sent: Tuesday, September 3, 2024 8:26 AM:
To: Council Testimony ..
Subject: 'support local beekeepers!
To whom it may concern, s
As a small local beekeeper in Pahoa for the last 8 years, I am counting this new bill will passing, allowing cufrent
beekeepers to continue on and not making it more difficult for inspiring beekeepers to get started.
Supporting local beekeepers, especially those on small pieces of property, is vital for environmental sustainability, food
security, and community resilience.
Bees play a crucial role in pollinating crops, which directly affects local agriculture and the broader food supply.
Caws that protect and encourage small-scale beekeeping empower individuals to contribute to pollination efforts,
enhance biodiversity, and produce local honey, which has health benefits and supports the local economy.
My neighbors all love the fact that they can purchase honey that comes directly from their own subdivision as well as
they have my bees visiting their gardens daily all year around -a free pollination service for them that greatly increases
their fruit and vegetable yield and lowers their grocery bill.
No where is supporting local economy more important than here on the Big Island where it can be very difficult to eke
out a living.
In my eight years as a beekeeper I have trained apprentices that have started there own successful apiaries and is
currently their only source of income.
Additionally, these laws can help maintain bee populations, which are currently threatened by various environmental
challenges.
By passing this bill, we are ensuring a future where local ecosystems thrive, food sources remain secure, and
communities can engage in sustainable practices.
1 am hoping that all will see the benefits of allowing anyone interested in keeping bees on their property responsibly to
do so.
Bee well,
Annie Q IQ
Whale and Bee Hawaii Honey
Comm. 5
Ref. To:4 0 U'll (fl
Ref. Date 11 - P -- f.M24