Pollinators, and in particular bees, are experiencing a worldwide decline. There is much debate about the causes of this pollinator crisis, among the possible agents are parasites, diseases, pesticides, and habitat loss. The recent arrival of the Varroa mite and the Small Hive Beetle to Hawaii has contributed to serious losses of managed hives.
This threatens commercial honey and queen production, and reduces the availability of honeybees for pollination services. At the same time, the reduction and fragmentation of the native forests is threatening the status of the endemic Hawaiian bees, which are associated with the local flora.
The development of strategies for protection of insect pollinators could have large repercussions for conservation of natural forests and for food security in Hawaii, and much more research, education, and outreach programs should be developed to address these important issues. The UH Honeybee/Pollinator Expo aims to deliver information about the local situation as well as to raise the awareness level among the public.