Hawaii's Recent 6.0 Earthquake Did Little Infrastructure Damage Overall but Has Been Catastrophic to Water Systems Kona Coffee Farmers Rely On – CoffeeTalk

Kona’s coffee production is facing a critical crisis following a 6.0-magnitude earthquake that struck the Big Island of Hawaii, devastating the rainwater catchment systems essential for local farmers. Approximately ten days prior, the quake damaged numerous tanks that farmers rely on for water needed for drinking, bathing, and irrigating their coffee crops. Many small, family-run orchards in the region are not connected to county water lines, making these catchment systems vital.

Reports indicate that local catchment companies, including Pacific Blue Catchment, have received around 200 service calls from affected farmers, prompting the company to bring in additional workers from Oahu to meet the demand for repairs. The damage has been extensive, with many farmers, such as KayLynne and Michael Santana, forced to transport water supply in five-gallon jugs from public sources, while others, like Colehour and Melanie Bondera, lost substantial amounts of water when their tanks ruptured.

The situation is further complicated by the challenges farmers were already facing due to previous spring floods and increased insurance costs stemming from wildfires in Maui. While officials have begun assessing the total failure rate of these systems, they have initiated measures to alleviate the immediate water scarcity, including sending a 2,000-gallon tanker to a subdivision and establishing temporary fill stations. These efforts are crucial as farmers strive to protect their crops and sustain their livelihoods in the wake of this disaster.

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