• Let’s keep Kaua‘i bees pure • Dogs should get dog food, period • First responders were wonderful Let’s keep Kaua‘i bees pure “Honey Bees In Great Trouble” (May 28) is quite informative about two serious threats to honeybee health,
• Let’s keep Kaua‘i bees pure • Dogs should get dog food, period • First responders were wonderful
Let’s keep Kaua‘i bees pure
“Honey Bees In Great Trouble” (May 28) is quite informative about two serious threats to honeybee health, the varroa mite and the hive beetle. While the author obviously has valuable experience dealing with these pests as an ‘aviary inspector,’ Mr. Webster’s knowledge of the situation on Kaua‘i is clearly lacking. Honeybees on O‘ahu and the Big Island have been infested over the past couple years, and so the beekeepers on those islands are already in the ‘pest-management mode’, working with the state Department of Agriculture and researchers at UH-Manoa. Managing these pests in the tropics is not the same as elsewhere, so they’re still working on the problem.
Kaua‘i is one of the last places on the planet that does not have either the varroa mite nor the small-hive beetle. So, right now learning about how to ‘manage’ these vermin is much less important for Kaua‘i beekeepers than keeping them off Kaua’i to begin with.
The Kaua‘i Beekeeper’s Association (KBee) was formed in 2008, on the heels of a County Council Resolution (#2008-43) urging the Department of Agriculture to “pursue all available resources and technology” to keep the varroa mite off Kaua‘i. As the DOA has been severely impacted by the current fiscal crisis, KBee volunteers, working with funding provided by the county and Young Brothers are helping monitor ‘swarm traps’ around Kaua‘i’s airports and harbors, destroying any bee swarms that may potentially bring those hitch-hiking pests from another island or further to our shores.
Public awareness and support for this program is critical for its success. Businesses and individuals on the Hawaiian islands already infested need to do everything in their power to keep their bees from spreading to Kaua‘i and the other ‘clean’ islands. And businesses and individuals on Kaua‘i need to be aware of the threat, and to report any bee swarms, especially around our ports, to the DOA or KBee immediately, for immediate disposal before these bees can spread these parasites to Kaua‘i’s healthy honeybees; DOA Pest Hotline: 643-PEST (643-7378).
Although beekeeping for honey is certainly an important agricultural industry on Kaua‘i, let’s remember what is most critical here — feral honeybees provide free pollination services, without which there are serious environmental consequences. Ninety percent of O‘ahu’s wild beehives have been wiped out by the varroa mite, resulting in a massive decline in many agricultural and forest products that depend on the bees for pollination. Managing mites in people’s beehives does little to change this part of the equation.
I highly encourage all of Kaua‘i’s beekeepers, from hobbyists to professionals, as well as all other concerned community members, to get involved with KBee, to understand the threats, and help us keep Kaua‘i’s bees the healthiest in the world. I urge Mr. Webster to join us, share his mana‘o, and learn of the unique situation we find ourselves in, way out here on this small rock in the middle of the Pacific, still being varroa-mite and small-hive beetle free. Let’s keep it that way. Check www.kauaibuzz.blogspot.com.
Erik Coopersmith, Kauai Beekeepers Association Vice Chair, Koke‘e
Dogs should get dog food, period
This is in response to “Kimo” Rosen’s last letter on why people feed their dogs dog food (“Why dog food?” May 24). I’m somewhat baffled at his letter actually. Mr. Rosen is right that a dog has a very keen sense of smell. However, Mr. Rosen, I believe if you check with your local veterinarian they would tell you that table scraps generally are not recommended for various reasons. I would never ever consider giving my beloved 15-year-old lab someone else’s spoiled, roach-ridden, bacteria-infested leftovers scrounged from a filthy, smelly dumpster. I can understand, though, that you must feel that you’re doing your doggie a favor by feeding him/her table scraps that seems on the surface to be highly desirable as opposed to a can or dry scoop of quality, canine-specific food. Food that is certainly better balanced and a lot more sanitary for sure. So let’s see, I’ve had Duchess my black lab for about 15 years now. She eats only dog food and has lived a long and healthy life. Sadly her senior years have crept up on her with various ailments but she continues to gobble up her “dog food” twice a day, every day without complaint. Yup, quality dog food certainly ain’t cheap but we’re not talking about being cheap here are we? Or are we?
Stephen Shioi, Kapa‘a
First responders were wonderful
Dear gentlemen of Waimea’s first-responders team: mahalo to you for your genuine professional help on Friday at Ishihara’s parking lot. An answer to “help I’ve fallen,” you gave me help. The fall was a shock and surprise to me, I was scared and you gentlemen gave me comfort, and strength to get up. Believe me the aloha spirit resides in Waimea. River (my dog) and I will be ever indebted to you for your care and aloha. Mahalo from an elderly lady in Waimea. For the readers: please assist in any fundraisers for these responders. They do wonderful work.
Jeannine Asquith, Waimea
