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| Honey bee heading toward a tower of jewels (Echium wildpreti). (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey) |
DAVIS-- Those who plan to attend the Western Apicultural Society (WAS) conference Sept. 12-15 in Hawaii and want to make a hotel reservation at the site of the conference must do so by March 31, 2011 to obtain the best rates.
The annual conference will take place at the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel, Kamuela, Hawaii.
Extension apiculturist Eric Mussen of the UC Davis Department of Entomology, a co-founder of WAS, said WAS conference representatives were able to arrange a room-rate reduction from the normal $195 to $289 per night (not including add-ons) to $139. This includes a buffet breakfast but does not include tax and gratuity.
A one-night deposit is required when registering. Those who book after March 31 will not receive the complementary breakfast buffet, and not the room-rate reduction. To reach the resort call 1-888-977-4623 and request the Western Apicultural Society special rate.
The program will cover four main areas of interest, officials said.
State of Hawaii Beekeeping. Hawaii offers one of the best places in the world to raise colonies for honey production and queen rearing. Successful beekeeping operations and methods will be explained as well as current honeybee projects in the state.
Alternatives to Conventional Beekeeping. Renowned alternative/organic beekeepers will be invited to talk about their methods. Speakers will be selected who can present data on the effectiveness of their methods.
New research. The latest completed research on a wide range of topics from Canada and the U.S.
Recovery and Rebuilding Colonies. This deals with coping with colony losses. Experts will be invited to speak on methods to build up local stocks.
In addition, to the program of speakers, this year's conference will include two excursions; one to Captain Cook on the leeward side of the island and the other to the Hamakua Coast on the windward side. Both excursions will feature visits to local apiaries and honey operations. They will occur concurrently so conference goers will have to decide which side of the island to visit.
More information is on the website at http://groups.ucanr.org/WAS/.
WAS is a non-profit, educational, beekeeping organization founded in 1978 for the benefit and enjoyment of all beekeepers in western North America. Worldwide membership is encouraged, but the organization was designed specifically to meet the educational needs of beekeepers from the states of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming; the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and the Yukon; and the states of northern Mexico.
--Kathy Keatley Garvey
Communications specialist
UC Davis Department of Entomology
(530) 754-6894
