From: [log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]] 
Sent: Wednesday, October 21, 2009 2:46 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Cc: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Fw: Honey Bees - pest insect


Dear Mr. Scarbrough: 

The Hawaii Department of Agriculture considers the honey bee to be a beneficial insect that is essential to agriculture in Hawaii.  In fact, we are devoting much of our resources to protecting the honey bee and beekeepers from honey bee pests and diseases.  The most recent new pest has been the varroa mite which has been killing wild and managed bees on two islands in the State.  We have been working with beekeepers and others to contain and manage this pest so that we can continue to have pollination of plants, honey production, and sustainability of the queen bee industry. 

The honey bee is on the list of pests for control in Chapter 69A of the Hawaii Administrative Rules because there are cases where we need to remove honey bees from a property or to kill off a colony.  For example, if we determine that the honey bee colony is africanized (ie, killer bees) or infested with a pest or disease which we do not want to become established or spread in Hawaii then we would need to take action against these colonies.  Without the honey bee on this list we would have no legal authority to protect Hawaii in these situations. 

I can understand your concern since putting a beneficial insect such as the honey bee on a list of pests seems counterintuitive.  I hope this email makes it clear that this was done to protect the honey bee and the agriculture industry in Hawaii. 

aloha,

Neil Reimer, Ph.D.
Plant Pest Control Branch Chief
Hawaii Department of Agriculture
1428 S. King St., Honolulu, HI  96814
[log in to unmask]


hdoa_info/DOA/StateHiUS 
10/21/2009 09:09 AM 	To	[log in to unmask] 
cc	
Subject	Fw: Honey Bees - pest insect


Hi Neil - Can you answer this e-mail?  Thanks! 
Can you please cc: me - I had another phone call like this one, so it would be good for me to know the answer. 

Thanks! 

Aloha,

Janelle Saneishi
Public Information Officer
Hawaii Department of Agriculture
Ph: (808) 973-9560
Fax:  (808) 973-9613
e-mail:  [log in to unmask]
HDOA website:  www.hawaii.gov/hdoa/


----- Forwarded by hdoa_info/DOA/StateHiUS on 10/21/2009 06:04 AM ----- 
[log in to unmask] 
10/21/2009 03:50 AM 	
To	[log in to unmask] 
cc	
Subject	Honey Bees - pest insect

You are receiving this mail because Tim Scarbrough
[log in to unmask]
is sending feedback about the site administered by you at http://hawaii.gov/hdoa.
The message sent was:

Good Morning, Why in Hawaii is a honey bee considered a pest insect when these insects pollinate over 50% of the world's food supply?


--
HDOA Webmaster

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