Paradise Nectar Apiaries supports honeybee conservation through sustainable beekeeping practices, community education, and promoting chemical-free hive management. We also engage in local conservation efforts and support other beekeepers in adopting treatment-free methods. We are on a mission to heal the world with flower power by planting as many organic flower-bearing plants as possible creating a vibrant landscape of food for pollinators and people.

Paradise Nectar Apiaries offers workshops on sustainable beekeeping, hive management, and treatment-free practices. These workshops are designed to educate and empower beekeepers and enthusiasts to adopt natural beekeeping methods. We also offer farming/gardening lessons, beekeeping experiences, farm-to-table culinary classes, and private beekeeping lessons.

Paradise Nectar Apiaries is owned and operated by Jen Rasmussen Lair since 2008. The business became official in 2010 after taking on larger clients like Island Princess, becoming their first in-house beekeeper. Paradise Nectar went completely treatment-free in 2010 and continues maintaining with treatment-free and hygienic management to this day. Jen Lair offers classes, workshops, products, catering, private chef services, consultations, bee removal, starter hives, hive maintenance, and more. Jen Rasmussen Lair is assisted with top bar hive building and apiary support by her husband, John Lair. Together, this power couple is creating a homestead and sanctuary where their bees may flourish.

Our mission is to create balance and harmony for all living beings, particularly pollinators, through sustainable practices and community education. We grow lots of flowers and food to feed the pollinators and our community, as well as support other local organic farmers in their mission to provide food security for the Big Island, Hawaii and beyond. We are on a mission to heal the world with flower power, and we invite you to join us. Grow, do it!!

We offer standard and expedited shipping options. Orders are processed within 2-3 business days, and tracking information is provided upon shipment.

Intuitive beekeeping involves observing and understanding bee behavior to make informed decisions that align with their natural instincts and needs.

Top bar hives are horizontal and allow for natural comb building, while Langstroth hives are vertical and use removable frames for easier honey extraction. It is possible to have natural comb Langstroth hives, all of ours are, but it does take some active guidance in their growing stages to keep them on the frame so that the hive is inspectable. It is our preference to work with Top Bar Hives because they help us maintain our posture, avoid excessive heavy lifting, and are gentler on the bees since we only expose 2 sides of the combs at one time. This allows them to keep the hive at the proper temperature, reduces the entry points for pests, and lets the bees continue with their important work instead of worrying about why we are there. We believe this is why our bees are so sweet and gentle. We do have Langstroth hives because we offer education and starter colonies and want to have something for everyone. Our hives have been with us for many years and have shown us that it isn't about the kind of hive you have, it is how you keep it. By caring for your bees in ways that support their natural biological cycles, you empower them to create a strong and vibrant hive that flourishes with minimal intervention. It is our belief that beekeeping is a relationship with your bees. We do not support or encourage any form of hands-off beekeeping practices. If you wish to have bees and do not want to tend to them yourself, you may hire someone like us to take care of your bees for you. We even offer monthly maintenance with educational support, so you can learn and grow with your bees!

Common pests and diseases in Hawaii include Varroa mites, small hive beetles, wax moths, nosema ceranae, and American foulbrood, which require vigilant monitoring and management. Little fire ants and black ants can also cause problems in the hive. Varroa mites are tiny bugs that feed on the flesh of honeybees and their growing brood. They prefer old dark comb, and they sneak around finding bees to cling to. They can become a problem in hives that have stagnant comb production and old contaminated combs. Using a method known as checkerboarding will reduce mite populations and encourage hygienic hive management. Small hive beetles are tiny black bugs that hide in corners and crevices around the hive and lay up to 1000 eggs/day. The eggs hatch into tiny larvae that turn the combs to a stinky and slimy goo. They are best managed with a screened bottom drawer and tray system with diatomaceous earth to reduce beetle populations. Wax moths are generally a nuisance but not a real concern. They like to hang out in the beetle drawer and collect the debris at the bottom of the hive. If a hive is struggling, they will destroy the combs with a stringy, gritty web like trail. The biggest issue they pose for us is when they burrow into our bars and frames, since it causes damage to our equipment. Nosema ceranae is a microscopic fungal parasite that infects the gut of adult honeybees, disrupting digestion and nutrient absorption. Originally a parasite of the Asian honeybee (Apis cerana), it has now spread globally and primarily affects the Western honeybee (Apis mellifera). Infected bees may show signs like reduced lifespan, poor foraging, colony weakening, and in some cases, sudden colony collapse—often without obvious symptoms. Unlike Nosema apis, Nosema ceranae tends to persist year-round and can be more difficult to detect without microscopic testing. Checkerboarding helps reduce the spread of Nosema ceranae. American Foulbrood (AFB) is a highly contagious and deadly bacterial disease that affects honeybee brood (larvae and pupae). Caused by the bacterium Paenibacillus larvae, AFB spores can survive for decades and spread easily through contaminated equipment, honey, or drifting bees. Infected larvae die after being sealed in their cells, often leaving behind a brown, sticky, and foul-smelling mass. A telltale sign is the presence of sunken, perforated brood cell cappings and a ropy texture when pulling out dead larvae. Because AFB is so persistent and destructive, infected colonies are often required to be destroyed to prevent its spread.

You can support local beekeepers in Hawaii by purchasing honey and bee products from local sources, participating in beekeeping workshops, and advocating for sustainable and chemical-free beekeeping practices. Supporting local conservation efforts also helps protect and promote healthy bee populations.

Beekeeping in Hawaii began in 1857 with the introduction of honeybees from California. The favorable climate and year-round foraging conditions helped establish a thriving beekeeping industry. Over the years, Hawaiian bees have developed resistance to certain diseases, contributing to the state's unique beekeeping practices.

The goal is to raise resilient bees that can survive without human intervention. This can lead to healthier bees long-term and reduces chemical dependency in beekeeping. Using treatments can create stronger pests, which impacts the hive in negative ways, making them more susceptible to the pests and disease. There is also the impact to the beekeeper to consider as well. Treating means using respirators and working with toxic chemicals that can hurt you and your bees. Your health and your bee's health are more important than a quick fix that causes greater harm in the long run.

The benefits of treatment-free beekeeping include healthier bees with stronger immune systems, reduced chemical dependency, and the promotion of natural bee behaviors. It also supports the development of resilient bee populations that can better withstand pests and diseases.

To start treatment-free beekeeping, begin by researching and understanding the principles of natural beekeeping. Acquire bees from a treatment-free source, and use hive management practices that promote bee health without chemicals. Monitor your hives regularly and be prepared for initial challenges as your bees adapt.

Yes, in our apiary they thrive. There are, however, certain factors that need to be considered when going treatment-free after having treated your hives. Treating hives weakens their immune system and makes them more susceptible to pests & diseases. When weaning the bees off of treatments there will be a time period after the last treatment when the mite populations multiply, weakening the bees and causing stress to the hive, and small hives beetles will become more attracted to the stressed hive. This is why the timing for transitioning is crucial, and correct checkerboarding and space management is of utmost importance. Using a screened bottom drawer under the hive with diatomaceous earth in it will help reduce mite and small hive beetle populations. We do not recommend weaning bees off of treatments without using the under-hive drawer system.

Varroa mites are a major challenge, but some bee populations have developed resistance. The treatment-free approach encourages the survival of such genetics through natural selection. Bees were originally brought to the Hawaiian Islands in 1857 by ship from California. The first successful landing was on the Big Island, where German honeybees were released and began to thrive in the islands’ year-round foraging conditions. This introduction helped establish Hawaii's now significant beekeeping industry. These bees developed resistance to American Foulbrood years later after beekeepers started importing queens. They are the heart and soul of our apiary after collecting many wild hives over the years. They teach us about vigilance and resilience. By using a method known as checkerboarding, cycling out old combs and allowing bees to make new combs by staggering the empty and drawn combs in the brood nest we are able to keep our bees healthy without using treatments or manipulative interventions. We do not practice drone brood removal or use any kind of miticide or fumigant. We believe that by developing a strong immune system as a hive they are able to overcome pests and are much less susceptible to diseases like deformed wing virus.

By paying attention to what is happening in your hive, you can detect changes and intervene, when necessary, without using harmful treatments. There are several ways you may monitor your hives development and the impact of pests and diseases on the hive. For example, it is our recommendation to set up your hive with a screened door and tray under it. Fill the tray with diatomaceous earth, natural powder made from the fossilized remains of tiny aquatic organisms called diatoms. These microscopic shells are rich in silica and create a fine, abrasive dust that’s safe for humans and animals (when food-grade), but deadly to insects. We use the food grade kind. It works by scratching and drying out the exoskeletons of pests like ants, fleas, and mites—making it a popular choice for natural pest control in beekeeping, gardening, and home use. It is only for use under the hive, allowing for the mites and the beetles to fall through a 1/8" metal screen into the D.E. This lowers mite and beetle populations without causing harm to the bees. The drawer may also be used with a sticky board by removing the tray and making a metal tray and using coconut oil on it to make the mites stick to it. Place it under the hive for 24 hours, remove and count the mites to get an idea of the mite load your bees are dealing with. If lots of mites are on the sticky board, it is our recommendation to inspect the hive and remove old combs that look spongy or well-aged, and checkerboard with new bars/frames in their place to encourage the bees to make a new comb. Do not remove combs with lots of brood. You do not want to kill baby bees to do this. Remove old pollen combs or unhealthy-looking combs.

Yes, many proponents believe it's more ethical, as it allows bees to live and evolve in ways that respect their natural biology, without introducing foreign substances.

Healthy brood patterns, active foraging, low mite loads (confirmed by monitoring), and consistent overwintering/rainy-season success are positive indicators.

While both aim for natural methods, organic beekeeping may still use approved natural treatments. Treatment-free beekeeping avoids all treatments, even organic ones, and relies on the bees' natural ability to adapt and survive.

Treatment-free beekeeping is a method that avoids using chemical treatments & invasive manipulations to manage bee health, focusing instead on natural practices to support bee resilience. By using hygienic management practices, such as "checkerboarding" we maintain our hives without using treatments.

Regular monitoring, selective breeding, small-cell comb, brood breaks, and allowing natural mite pressure can all support mite resistance over time. We use a method called checkerboarding to encourage bees to make new combs creating a more hygienic environment.

Transitioning to treatment-free beekeeping involves gradually reducing chemical treatments while implementing natural hive management practices. Monitor your bees closely, provide supportive conditions, and be patient as your bees adapt to the new approach.

Checkerboarding is a hive management technique where empty and drawn combs are alternated in the brood nest. This encourages bees to build new combs, which helps manage pests and diseases by promoting a more hygienic environment.

It’s possible to lose hives, especially early on. However, over time, survivor bees may create stronger genetics. It requires patience and a willingness to accept losses.