Flooded Futures: Hawaii’s Farmers Face Uncertainty

The recent flooding in Hawaii has left small-scale farmers struggling to recover, with an estimated $10s of millions in damages. The destruction is widespread, with over 600 farms reporting significant damage, including crops, livestock, and equipment. According to Brian Miyamoto, executive director of the Hawaii Farm Bureau, “In some cases entire farms have been wiped out,” leaving farmers with little choice but to start over from scratch.

The experience of Bok Kongphan and his niece Jeni Balanay is a testament to the resilience of these small-scale farmers. Despite the catastrophic flooding that destroyed their crops and left them struggling to access aid, they remain committed to working the land. However, as Balanay’s words suggest, the weight of uncertainty hangs heavy over these farmers: “Will it happen again? When you look at the land and it’s all destroyed, you want to give up.”

Hawaii’s farmers have long faced challenges such as wildfires, pests, and volcanic tephra – ash and debris ejected by an erupting Big Island volcano. These risks are exacerbated by the island’s geography, making it difficult for farmers to secure crop insurance. Unlike many mainland farmers, Hawaii’s small-scale producers often lack the economies of scale to qualify for protection.

The decline of large-scale plantation-style agriculture has created a gap that smaller farms are struggling to fill. The loss of big-ticket crops such as sugarcane and pineapple has forced farmers to adapt and diversify, often resulting in reduced yields and lower profit margins. In recent years, the state has made efforts to support local agriculture through initiatives like the farm-to-school program and loans for small-scale producers.

However, these measures may not be sufficient to address the systemic issues faced by Hawaii’s farmers. As Sharon Hurd, the state’s top agriculture official, noted, “These are the farms that we really need to get started again.” The onus is now on policymakers to provide meaningful support and ensure the long-term viability of these small-scale operations.

The effects of this crisis are already being felt at farmers markets, where offerings have become sparse. Many farmers who normally bring their produce to market are unable to do so due to damage or lack of stock. As Farmer Kula Uliʻi lamented, “It’s all gone – we can’t use any of it.” This sparsity is not just a local issue; the loss of these small-scale producers has broader implications for food security and sustainability in Hawaii.

The story of Hawaii’s farmers serves as a reminder that the production of food is often overlooked until disaster strikes. The devastation wrought by the floods highlights the precarious nature of agriculture on an isolated island chain. It is now up to policymakers to provide adequate support and ensure that these small-scale producers can continue to thrive – or at the very least, survive – in a challenging environment.

The clock is ticking for Hawaii’s farmers as they struggle to rebuild and recover from this latest crisis. Without meaningful support, the future of their livelihoods hangs in the balance. As Bok Kongphan so poignantly put it, “It’s hard to keep going when you see your crops being wiped out like that.” The state must act swiftly to prevent these farmers from giving up on a way of life that is crucial to Hawaii’s food security and identity.