Rock'in Road Trip a Success
Pollinating Joy for National Honey Bee Day
Mystic Bee Sanctuary took to the open road on Saturday August 18th, to celebrate National Honey Bee Day and pollinate joy around the Big Island. Armed with several hundred pounds of painted ‘joy rocks’, made by Philanthro-bees from Arc of Kona, the Mystic Bee Team traveled south from Kona, around the southern tip of the island, and back over Saddle Road, making over 20 stops including Keauhou, Ali’i Drive, Kainaliu, Kealakekua, Ocean View, Naalehu, Hilo, and Waikoloa before ending at Kona Old Airport Beach Park.
First stop was the Keauhou shopping center, where the Mystic Bee Team visited the KTA, purchasing leis and doling out joy rocks to shoppers, stoked cashiers & hap-bee bank tellers. Next, a quick stop in L&L for some sustenance and more rock slinging. With full bellies, the Bee Team hit the Keauhou farmers market to ‘lei’ beekeepers Jacob and Sherry of Jacob’s Ladder Honey, at their bee-utiful honey stand in gratitude for all their friendly bee-tending efforts & generosity to Mystic Bee Sanctuary!
Next was a pitstop at Kahalu’u Beach Park. Snorkelers were presently surprised with their joy rocks, and the Bee Team even left some loose rocks for sunbathers to grab. Anxious to get on the road, the team headed south to Kainaliu and Kealakekua, making several stops bee-ginning with the Historic Aloha Theatre, then making a bee-line through the Wanna Bee Pono Store to sting Queen Bee Priscilla, then Arc of Kona, and Konawaena School to leave joy rocks. Buzzing on south, the team took a quick detour to Honaunau City of Refuge, and then booked it south, through Ocean View with visions of malasadas from Punalu’u Bakery filling their heads.
After catching a glorious sugar buzz at the Punalu’u Bakery, and giving out dozens of joy rocks to happy patrons and staff, the Bee Team made a beeline for Punalu'u black sand beach. There they met a talented palm hat weaver named Ka’ai, who was stoked on his joy rock. One of our own Queens Bees even got a new crown! More joy rocks were left by the beautiful ALOHA sign, and a visiting couple were touched and interested to learn more about the Mystic Bee Sanctuary’s mission and programs.
Heading on towards Volcano National Park, the Bee Team was hit by an unexpected torrential downpour putting into action: Plan Bee. The decision was made to respectfully buzz by Madame Pele and all team members remained inside the vehicle, protecting antennae and wings from the deluge, which extended on all the way into Hilo.
As the rain slowed, the team rolled into the Rainbow Falls parking lot, and were welcomed by a pair of wild pigs, and a furious, chocolate milk colored waterfall. Joy rocks, luckily waterproof, were gifted to waterfall gawkers, some hailing from as far away as the Indian continent.
Slightly soggy and hungry, the Bee Team cruised through the McDonalds drive through in Hilo before heading over Saddle road. McDonald’s employees were ecstatic to serve a bee (it was actually Selvy expertly disguised as a bee...shh 🤫...) and treasured their joy rocks. Team Bee treasured their burgers, fries, and apple pies all the way up Saddle road. The team stopped at the Native Tree Sanctuary across from Mauna Kea to leave more joy rocks and appreciate some clear skies. They even spotted a rainbow!
Fading fast from a fast food induced coma, the team rallied for the final stretch of the Rock’in Road Trip. A quick drive-by pollination was executed in Waikoloa Village, and then Team Bee booked it back to Kona, making a final stop to drop joy rocks at the Old Airport walking track.
Exhausted, and totally bee-t, the team collapsed on Selvy’s front yard, greeted by Smudge the dog, who had been anxiously awaiting their return. He was dressed up as a bee in celebration of National Honey Bee Day. He wanted to play fetch, and show off his costume. How can you say no to that?
All in all, it was a bee-utiful day!
The end.