176 Year Old Coffee Farm Devastated By Kona Low Storm – CoffeeTalk

Greenwell Farms, a historical coffee producer in Hawai‘i Island for 176 years, faced unprecedented destruction due to the Kona low storm on March 14, as reported by owner Tom Greenwell. This storm inflicted severe damage on the farm, with projections indicating a loss of approximately half of the annual coffee crop, which amounts to an estimated $10 million in damages and lost revenue. The flooding and high winds created three significant trenches through the South Kona farmland, decimating numerous decades-old coffee trees. On March 19, local authorities, specifically the Hawai‘i County Civil Defense Agency, assessed the situation at the farm, which also hosts retail tours and coffee sampling off Māmalahoa Highway in Kealakekua.

The aftermath of the storm has been devastating, not only for Greenwell Farms but for the agricultural sector statewide. Initial estimates from the Hawai‘i Agricultural Foundation and the Hawai‘i Farm Bureau Federation cite agricultural losses exceeding $7 million across over 1,000 affected acres. Brian Miyamoto, executive director of the Farm Bureau, expressed concern about the significant impact on small and family-operated farms throughout the state.

In the wake of the storm, Greenwell and his team spent a week clearing debris from the farm, which included a variety of unusual items that were washed up, such as pipes and even a refrigerator. The floodwaters caused considerable excavation of the land, necessitating repairs before any farming activities could resume. Greenwell reported losing about 24,000 trees from his nursery, quantitatively translating to a 20% loss of crops at his farm near Konawaena High School, which also serves as a vital source for supplying trees to other farmers.

Current tours at the farm have been suspended due to flood damage, particularly in the areas where visitors are taken, with hopes to restart them in the coming week. Additionally, Greenwell’s home, located on the property, suffered significant flooding as water surged beneath the structure, leading to extensive damage that has rendered it uninhabitable temporarily, with personal losses estimated at around $1 million.

In an effort to provide relief, the Hawai‘i Agricultural Foundation and the Hawai‘i Farm Bureau Federation have initiated a coordinated campaign to assist farmers and agricultural producers impacted by the storm. Community members are encouraged to support local farmers such as Greenwell by donating or purchasing coffee online, emphasizing the critical role of Hawai‘i’s farmers in the state’s food security and agricultural future, as highlighted by Denise Yamaguchi, Executive Director of the Agricultural Foundation.

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