ICE Raids Impact Kona Coffee Production, Spread Fear And Result In Significant Labor Shortages – CoffeeTalk

As the Kona coffee harvesting season concludes, many small farmers are reporting decreased production due to concerns over recent immigration enforcement actions that have impacted their workforce. The presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on the Big Island has led to fear among immigrant workers, resulting in significant labor shortages. For instance, Ryson Nakamasu, owner of Honolulu Coffee and president of the Hawai‘i Coffee Association, noticed an increase in overripe cherries on his farm. In an effort to gauge the overall impact, Nakamasu distributed a survey to the association’s members, revealing that many farmers observed fewer workers during peak picking times, which run from August to December.

The 2023-2024 coffee season has seen a production value drop to an estimated $48.2 million, an 11% decrease from the previous period, despite an average high price of $2.51 per pound for cherry coffee. Nakamasu reported needing 15 to 18 workers to manage his crop effectively but had only ten due to the apprehension of his workforce. Similarly, Armando Rodriguez of Aloha Star Coffee Farm experienced a crop loss of up to 30% attributed to insufficient pickers, especially with his usual help from mainland workers opting out this year out of fear of possible detention.

Reports of ICE raids in Kona, with at least 70 individuals reportedly apprehended, have heightened anxiety within the community. However, not all farmers are experiencing labor shortages; some, like Tom Greenwell of Greenwell Farms, have continued to hire legally through the H-2A visa program and reported no issues with worker availability. He indicated that while the yield has been consistent, external factors like weather conditions have also affected production efficiency.

The situation indicates a complex interplay of local labor dynamics, immigration policy, and environmental factors impacting the more extensive Kona coffee industry. Farmers like Bill Buckingham echoed the sentiment of abundance with only a few laborers when he referenced the biblical notion that “the harvest was plentiful, but the laborers few.” As the coffee industry navigates these multifaceted challenges, the focus remains on ensuring a safe working environment and adapting to ongoing changes in labor availability due to immigration enforcement caveats.

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