HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0364.025 2018-2020 COUNTY CLERK 17/AWUk
COUNTY OF HA AI'I COMA,MA
RECEIVED
Time 12 Mom i
Date County of Hawaii Resolution 219-19
As the former State Apiarist from 2015-mid 2017, and former State Apiary Entomologist
III for the Hawaii Department of Agriculture from 2011-2015, 1 support Hawaii County Council
Resolution 219-19 on the working group for honey bees. I testify that with best management
practices, the honey bee ordinances for the County of Hawaii need to be updated and modified
in favor of the beekeeper and a working group would benefit the industry. Honey bee
regulations are out of date and modifying them to keep bees in agricultural, residential, and
commercial areas without the 1,000 ft. distance from a major road would be beneficial.
Hawaii Island is home to some of the largest queen producers in the world, supplying
25% of the mainland's queen bees and 75% of Canada's queen bees. Throughout the year,
these producers on Big Islands are able to supply queens to the United State and other areas of
the world, months before other queen breeders, helping not only the $10 million export for
Hawaii, but hundreds of thousands of acres of almond pollination in California and many other
early-season crops. In addition, according to the National Agriculture Statistics Survey, Hawaii
produces the most honey per hive out of any state. The flowers that these bees visit contribute
to millions of dollars worth of pollination services for the Big Island. Beekeepers and farmers
rely on this honey and pollination service for their income, which on several occasions there,
has been stifled from beekeepers being forced to move their hives because they were not in
compliance with outdated the law.
The current law that states that beekeepers must be 1,000 feet from a major road, is
both extremely vague, outdated, and not necessary. There are countless areas on the Big Island
that are near roads and highways, yet the closest building may be over a mile away. Looking at
other cities such as Honolulu, New York City, and San Francisco, beekeepers are all legally
allowed to have hives on their urban properties and rooftops. These areas are good examples
of honey bees successfully cohabiting with humans in smaller spaces. If these cities are able to
manage this, the Big Island can as well. In addition, the demeanor of the bees on Big Islands is
extremely docile. Due to the large numbers of queen producers on the island breeding bees for
the last 30 years, gentle behavior is a major part of the queen producers breeding programs,
which may not have been taken into account when the previous law was written. Having a
working group will help facility necessary changes to aid this queen producers and beekeepers
around the island.
Although for those not familiar with bees, this ordinance may seem small and
insignificant, after working for the State of Hawaii Apiary Program for 6 years, thousands of
residents, tourists, and farmers around Hawaii and the United States would benefit from
beekeepers on Big Island having more access to land for their honey bees. With the large
acreage of land surrounding all parts of the Big Island, keeping bees in agricultural, residential
and commercial areas would be beneficial for beekeepers and land owners. I testify and
support County Council Resolution 219-19 to have a working group for beekeeping to help
modify and update the bee ordinances for the County of Hawaii.
Sincerely,
Lauren M. Rusert
Comm. No. J
Ref. To: MM y
Ref. Date UG 0 5 2019