Hawaiʻi Farmers Report Millions in Storm Losses

Farmers are counting over $40 million in damages after a series of spring Kona lows hit the state.

Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Agriculture

Isometric editorial illustration showing a section of unearthed irrigation pipe in a saturated field, representing agricultural infrastructure damage in Hawaiʻi. — Hawaiʻi farmers are reporting more than $40 million in damages following a series of spring storms that flooded agricultural lands. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Should local governments prioritize investments in agricultural resilience to better withstand future natural disasters?

Hawaiʻi farmers are reeling from more than $40 million in self-reported losses following a series of spring Kona lows. The storms left behind widespread flooding and debris that isolated rural agricultural operations.

Why it matters

The back-to-back storms have severely impacted local operations, with some farmers facing the risk of going out of business entirely. These events have highlighted the fragility of agricultural infrastructure against extreme weather in the region.

Farmers reported more than $40 million in losses following the spring storms, while power outages in Kaʻū lasted 21 days. Individual operators like Matt Drayer lost their entire field crop yield and 2,000 māmaki tea plants on his 25-acre farm.

The players

Hawaiʻi Farmers Union

This organization represents the interests of agricultural workers in the state and is currently convening to discuss strategies for building greater resilience.

Matt Drayer

He is an impacted local farmer who saw his 25-acre property lose its entire field crop production and 2,000 māmaki tea plants during the spring weather events.

The details

Storm Lala triggered heavy flooding and deposited debris that blocked essential access routes to Wood Valley, requiring community members to deliver supplies via trucks, helicopters, and horses. To sustain operations during prolonged power outages, some farmers relied on generators to maintain refrigeration for their remaining inventory.

Spring 2026: Kona lows caused over $40 million in agricultural losses.
October 17-18, 2026: Hawaiʻi Farmers Union holds its annual convention.

Market Landscape

The recent devastation caused by the 2026 spring Kona lows serves as a severe benchmark for the financial and operational vulnerability of local agriculture. This situation highlights how extreme weather patterns are forcing small-scale farmers to reevaluate their survival strategies against corporate-scale competition.

The widespread damage to local farms may lead to reduced availability of certain regional products at local markets in the coming months. Residents can expect ongoing discussions regarding state agricultural support as the industry addresses the financial fallout from these storms.

The takeaway

The recent storm season has tested the limits of rural infrastructure, necessitating greater investment in self-sufficiency tools like backup generators for small farmers. Moving forward, the focus for many growers will be on building more resilient supply chains that can withstand extended periods of isolation.

What happens next

The Hawaiʻi Farmers Union is scheduled to host its annual convention on October 17-18, 2026, where the state's agricultural resilience will be a central topic of discussion.