Aloha,
The farmers and ranchers who suffered heartbreaking losses from the recent Kona low storms are our friends, neighbors, and partners in making Hawaiʻi more food-secure. We recognize they are under immense strain and we are mobilizing our resources and mission as a land-grant institution to help them get back on their feet.
Our Extension agents are providing the technical expertise to help manage crop loss, restore soil health, and ensure livestock safety. In just one example, they mobilized to provide a webinar on how to care for livestock after a flood; that video is on our CTAHR Emergency Response Page for Floods, along with comprehensive, step-by-step recovery strategies.
In this same spirit, GoFarm Hawaiʻi has developed essential toolkits for evaluating flood damage and maintaining food safety standards, available at gofarmhawaii.org. I encourage everyone to visit both websites.
The volunteer spirit of our students, staff, and faculty is an essential part of our commitment to help the community heal. From the Graduate Student Organization of the Department of Tropical Plants and Soil Science organizing a supply drive for farmers, to the O’ahu County staff and students who helped create emergency meal kits at The Pantry, and our CTAHR Ambassadors who supported the Waialua Beach Clean-up – they saw a need and stepped up to help.
Financial support
For those looking to provide immediate financial support, several organizations are providing direct aid:
- Hawaiʻi Agricultural Foundation is raising funds for emergency grants to farmers to help them clear debris, repair infrastructure, and replant. Donate here
- Hawaiʻi Foodbank delivers food assistance to families affected by flooding. Donate here.
- Lāhui Foundation coordinates local cleanup crews and the distribution of essential goods to the hardest-hit neighborhoods. Donate here.
The road to recovery will be long, but by working together, we will ensure farmers and their loved ones have the tools to rebuild their livelihoods. If you or a family you know needs direct assistance, do not hesitate to contact your local Extension office.
Sincerely,
Parwinder Grewal, Ph.D.
Dean and Director of CTAHR