3/29/2026 | United Kingdom | business | ✓ Verified - theguardian.com

‘I’ve never seen anything like it’: Hawaii’s small farmers begin recovery after catastrophic flooding

#Hawaii flooding #kona low storms #agricultural damage #Oahu farmers #recovery efforts #climate crisis #food security #emergency relief

📌 Key Takeaways

Two kona low storms dumped up to 50 inches of rain on Oahu in March 2025
Over 300 farms reported $17.5 million in damages, with Oahu hardest hit
Farmers face significant challenges including soil damage, equipment loss, and crop destruction
Hawaii has launched emergency relief funds, but farmers fear long-term impacts on food security
Community support has been crucial in recovery efforts

📖 Full Retelling

Hawaii's small farmers, including Eddie Oroyan and his wife Jessica Eirado Enes who run LewaTerra Farm on Oahu's north shore, began recovery efforts in March 2025 after catastrophic flooding from two kona low storms dumped up to 50 inches of rain on the island, submerging fields, destroying crops, and causing an estimated $17.5 million in agricultural damages. The storms, which hit during the week of March 10 and again around March 20, overwhelmed drainage systems, flooded homes, and forced evacuations as water levels rose rapidly in some areas reaching up to nine feet. Farmers who had worked for years to establish sustainable operations on the islands found their thriving businesses wiped out in a matter of days, with crops like papayas, tomatoes, and various vegetables completely destroyed by the unprecedented deluge. The Hawaiian government declared a state of emergency, allocating $500,000 in emergency relief funds, while agricultural organizations established additional support programs to help the more than 300 affected farms across the islands. Despite the devastation, farmers demonstrated remarkable resilience, immediately beginning cleanup operations and replanting efforts, though they acknowledged the long road ahead to restore their lands and businesses to pre-storm conditions.

🏷️ Themes

Natural disasters, Agricultural impact, Community resilience, Climate change

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Deep Analysis

Why It Matters

This news highlights the devastating impact of extreme weather events on small agricultural businesses and local food systems in Hawaii. The flooding affected over 300 farms, causing $17.5 million in agricultural damages and threatening the livelihoods of many small farmers. This event underscores the increasing vulnerability of island communities to climate change impacts and the challenges of food security in regions dependent on local agriculture.

Context & Background

Hawaii's agricultural sector includes many small, family-owned farms that contribute to the state's food security and economy
Kona low storms are weather systems that bring heavy rain and strong winds to the Hawaiian Islands, typically occurring during the winter months
Hawaii has experienced increasing frequency of extreme weather events in recent years, with scientists linking these changes to climate change
The state's agricultural industry produces a variety of crops including papayas, tropical fruits, vegetables, and coffee that are important both locally and for export
Before these storms, Hawaii was already facing challenges related to food self-sufficiency, with estimates suggesting the state imports about 85-90% of its food

What Happens Next

Farmers will likely continue recovery efforts throughout 2025, focusing on rebuilding infrastructure, restoring soil health, and replanting destroyed crops. The Hawaiian government and agricultural organizations may expand support programs to address long-term recovery needs. There may be increased calls for improved drainage systems and climate-resilient agricultural practices to better withstand future extreme weather events.

Frequently Asked Questions

What caused the catastrophic flooding in Hawaii?

The flooding was caused by two kona low storms that dumped up to 50 inches of rain on the islands during March 2025, overwhelming drainage systems and submerging agricultural lands.

How many farms were affected by the storms?

More than 300 farms across the Hawaiian Islands were affected by the catastrophic flooding, with many small farmers experiencing complete crop losses.

What kind of support has been provided to affected farmers?

The Hawaiian government declared a state of emergency and allocated $500,000 in emergency relief funds, while agricultural organizations established additional support programs to help affected farmers.

What crops were most affected by the flooding?

Crops including papayas, tomatoes, and various vegetables were completely destroyed by the unprecedented deluge, which submerged fields and destroyed agricultural infrastructure.

How might this disaster impact Hawaii's food security?

The destruction of agricultural lands could exacerbate Hawaii's existing food security challenges, as the state already imports 85-90% of its food, potentially leading to increased food prices and reduced availability of locally grown produce.

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Original Source

              ‘I’ve never seen anything like it’: Hawaii’s small farmers begin recovery after catastrophic flooding Two kona low storms dumped up to 50in of rain on Oahu, flooding fields and submerging equipment E ddie Oroyan’s farm was thriving when the storms hit. He and his wife had started LewaTerra Farm last year on a gorgeous stretch of land on the north shore of Oahu. They were delivering vegetables to customers in the community, selling at farmer’s markets and to local restaurants. Then, on the week of 10 March, a first kona low storm hit the island, bringing copious amounts of water, flooding their land and wiping out crops. Nearly all their papayas were gone. And the tomatoes didn’t survive. But the couple quickly began cleaning, replanting and tying down crops, confident that they would get back on their feet shortly. “It was looking really positive. We were like, OK, we’re going to make it out of this,” Oroyan said. But days later the Hawaiian Islands were hit with yet another storm – this one even more perilous. It inundated neighborhoods, leading to more than 200 rescues, washing houses off their foundations and leaving wide swaths of the land underwater. Oroyan and his wife evacuated in chest-deep water. They returned to find an almost complete loss. “The crops were completely covered and had already been underwater earlier that week. The disease was already setting in,” he said. One week on, Hawaii is only just beginning to grapple with the aftermath of both storms, which saw as much as 50in of rain and caused some of the state’s worst flooding since 2004. The damage is immense – with officials estimating costs at $1bn, and farmers have been hit hard, particularly on Oahu. More than 300 farms have reported about $17.5m in damage as of this week, said Brian Miyamoto, the executive director of the Hawai‘i Farm Bureau. “This is so widespread that the need is astronomical,” he said. And with significant debris, damaged roads, and thick mud indoors and outside, cleanup...
            

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