MEDIA RELEASE

The state Department of Agriculture’s Apiary Program is hosting a bee specialist from Florida who will give a series of free public talks in Kona, Hilo, Lihue and Honolulu beginning next week.

The meetings will feature Dr. Jamie Ellis, apiculture extension specialist with the University of Florida, who has worked with small hive beetle in Florida and Africa (its native home).

He has also studied interactions between varroa mite and small hive beetle, two bee pests that are relatively new to Hawaii.

WHEN & WHERE:

* Kona: 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17 at Konawaena High School, 81-1043 Konawaena School Rd, Kealakekua

* Hilo: 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18 at Komohana Extension Office, 875 Komohana St. (in cooperation with the Big Island Beekeepers Association)

* Lihue: 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 20 at Kauai Community College, Room MPC 114 (in cooperation with Kauai Beekeepers Association)

* Honolulu: 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24 at the HDOA Conference Room, 1428 South King St., Honolulu (free parking onsite) – Dr. Ethel Villalobos of the University of Hawaii Honeybee Project will also be present.

While the discussions are geared more toward beekeepers, interested members of the public are also invited to attend.

For more information on Dr. Ellis’ program, visit: http://entnemdept.ifas.ufl.edu/honeybee/extension/index.shtml