Walter is correct.  AHB is not found in Hawaii.  In fact, neither is
tracheal mite or varroa mite.  Hawaii banned the import of all honey
bees into the state in 1985.  Although the ban is almost impossible
to enforce, there is little pressure to bring bees into the state.
Without the mites, and with a tropical environment, bees are
plentiful.  In fact, I know of several people who make a living just
removing swarms!
 
Now, to address Andy's comments....  The first bees in Hawaii were
"German Blacks" introduced in the 1840's.  These bees were truly
mean!  Thirty years ago double shirts and three pairs of pants were
required when pulling honey.  When Powers and Weavers arrived here
twenty-five years ago they began changing this temperament through
the introduction of Italian queens and through artificial
insemination.  In the last ten years the change has been noticable.
Kona Queen has 15 full time beekeepers (full time is 52 weeks a
year!) and only one pair of gloves in the whole operations.  Partly
due to the heat, but also because the bees are very gentle, nobody
wears a long sleeved shirt.
 
If you ever wonder about the success of a breeding program in a small
closed population, you might want to look at the change in the
temperament and breed of bees on the island of Hawaii over the last
thirty years.
 
Would Andy be interested in trying a few Kona Queens now?  Let me
know.  I think he would be surprised!
 
Mark at Kona Queen