We don鈥檛 get hit with kona low storms very often, but these last two brought back-to-back rain and wind events causing lots of damage to farms, gardens, structures and roadways in our area. Reclaiming plants and property is going to take time and in some cases a lot of work, but the people I talked to had already started repairing and replanting with the possibility of future storms in mind.
Kona storms are caused by low pressure areas where the winds originate from the southwest instead of the usual trade winds from the northeast. These kona winds are often accompanied by heavy rain and high winds. When this slow-moving system sticks around for several days, the destruction accumulates.
After talking to several friends who experienced destruction, I can report some of their problems and their progress toward mitigation.
Bonnie and Bacci Perata from Kona鈥檚 Earthly Delights Farm had lots of damage. Numerous banana trees simply toppled in the wind. Several mac nut trees were uprooted out of the rain-soaked soil on their farm but the river that ran through their farm perhaps caused the most damage, moving mud and debris down the length of the river bed.
This mauka makai river occurred as a result of heavy rains above their farm. It proceeded in a trench from the top to the bottom of their property. One of their turkey hens, Ms. Peep, was sitting on her eggs near the lower path of the river. When the rain and river slowed a bit, Bonnie went to check on the hen.
According to Bonnie, 鈥淚 found her covered in mud and barely able to move, she was so encrusted with mud.鈥�
Bonnie proceeded to wash her off and clean her feathers which the bird seemed to tolerate and appreciate. Then they started searching for her eggs, which were buried in mud up against the lower fence. Amazingly, they were able to retrieve eleven eggs, intact.
The happy ending is that Ms. Peep is now delighted to be back sitting on her eggs. Everyone is hoping they are viable and will hatch soon.
The Peratas reported this is not their first flood experience, though it might be one of the worst. They continue to maintain the channel for the occasional river caused by heavy mauka rains. They have planted woody borders along the area where flood rivers have occurred. Stones and rocks have also helped prevent overflow. Low plants with deep roots like grasses as well as vetiver are effective in holding soil but can be ripped out during heavy flooding events.
Of course, large farms like Tommy Greenwell鈥檚 were also victims of mauka waters running downhill. The damage to Greenwell鈥檚 coffee crop has been well reported and will hopefully open the way to funding help for the farmers who have suffered damage and crop loss.
In fact, 91直播 Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity (DAB) has just announced an Emergency Farmer Relief Program for farmers and ranchers impacted by the recent storm systems 鈥� kona low 1 and kona low 2. See the events listing here for more information on applying.
It is also important to fill out the 91直播 Agricultural Disaster Impact Survey at report.agstewardshiphawaii.org/.
Checking in on two of my old neighbors on Rabbit Hill Road, Kim Johnson and Barry Williamson reported that raging rivers of water and debris were the biggest problem on the hill. The heavy rains caused new and existing streams to carve deep new channels through the landscape, sometimes taking out coffee plants, fruit trees and ornamentals in their path.
To add to the problem for Kim, her bright yellow ATV, known as the banana slug, was stolen from her property a few days into the storm. This has severely impacted her ability to get to her lower land for repairs. The good news is that the heist was all recorded and the police are pursuing the thief. Hoping she鈥檒l have her vehicle back soon to attend to storm damage on her farm.
I did check in with Lana Brodziak who recently moved to Puna from Honolulu. She sent a photo of one of the many trees down on her property. To her dismay, one actually fell on top of her garden shed.
鈥淭hough my orchard is a mess, at least only one tree fell on a structure,鈥� Lana reported with relief.
Friends in Palisades suffered some plant loses but no serious damage. My friend Tom Blackburn lost a few dryland forest trees on his property. Ellen Lubrano lost some tall panax on her property鈥檚 border but didn鈥檛 experience or see other issues in her neighborhood.
Though the neighborhood damage I heard about was minimal, the kona low definitely brought a sad low to some Kona farmers. The most affected properties from my limited research were farms in South Kona. Many of these farmers are currently cleaning up the damage and planning to proceed with some flood control measures as they prepare for the possibility of future floods.
Creating ditches for running water can keep the flood waters contained. Of course, concrete edges are a good way to define the borders but careful planting can also help create soil holding sides. A hedge of woody shrubs is a big help. You might also want to consider dense plantings of heliconia or panax to hold the soil. Low grasses or ground covers like perennial peanut can also serve as soil holders.
Vetiver is well known for its deep, strong roots that can hold soil well during flooding events. It is often used for erosion control, slope stabilization, and wildfire mitigation. It is particularly useful in creating a vegetative barrier that traps sediment. You might want to consider installing some on your property especially in areas where future flooding might occur.
With our changing climate likely to bring on more weather extremes, we can use these events as learning experiences. What we learn from this flood can hopefully be applied on our property to mitigate damage from the inevitable next occurrence.
Gardening events
Now: Grant Money Available for Storm Damage. Farms, ranches and businesses may receive a one-time grant of $1,500 to address needs resulting from the recent storms, and $500,000 has been authorized for this emergency grant program from 91直播 Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity restricted funds. Applicants who submitted applications by March 27 will be prioritized. Awards will be announced week of March 30. Applications available at dab.hawaii.gov/emergencyfarmerrelief/. A General Excise Tax license is required. Questions should be directed to dab.efr@hawaii.gov
Current: 鈥淜ona typica鈥� grafted trees available for purchase. First come, first served basis. 20 鈥淜ona typica鈥� grafted (on C. liberica rootstock) trees are available for $15 each.
Tissue cultured 鈥淚to鈥� trees available at $15 each. Contact Andrea at andreak@hawaii.edu if you are interested.
Still available: CLR Resistant Coffee Trees. Go to https://youtu.be/11-vtPT2jRU or call 808-322-4892.
Continuing: 鈥淐offee and Orchard Crops Webinar Series鈥� Tuesdays at noon. A Q&A session with the presenter(s) will follow their pre-recorded or live presentation(s). Tentative dates and topics include:
鈥� March 31: Fungal attackers of multiple crops, and Record-keeping and tools.
鈥� April 7: Current, common fruit growers鈥� challenges and solutions.
鈥� Apr. 14: Updates on HARC鈥檚 coffee breeding program.
A single registration gives access to the series鈥� Zoom link. Contact Andrea Kawabata for flyer and registration information at (808) 322-4892 or andreak@hawaii.edu.
The series鈥� Zoom link is available at www.hawaiicoffeeed.com/2026webinars.html.
Continuing: Ka鈥榰 Coffee Farm Field Day Events, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. In-person events:
鈥� April 23: Nutrition and fertilizing field day.
鈥� May 21: Sanitation and desuckering field day.
All are free events. Lunch included for registrants. Spanish translator on site. Register at www.91直播CoffeeEd.com/kau. Contact Matt at (808) 322-0164 with questions.
Wednesday, April 8: 鈥淕rowing Melons and Pumpkins plus Fruit Flies IPM Control Strategies Workshop.鈥�
Registration is required to get the link. Contact Dr. Amjad Ahmad at alobady@hawaii.edu for more information.
Book a booth now for Saturday, May 2 event: Be a vendor at Big Island International Fruits Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in downtown Kona at Hale Halawai Beach Park on Ali鈥榠 Drive.
Local arts and crafts and food vendors are invited to this free family event for the community.
Contact Randyl Rupar at randyldna@earthlink.net or at (808) 936-5233 for forms or go to hawaiianwellness.com/events to download forms.
Farmer direct markets
Wednesday: Ho鈥榦ulu Farmers Market at Sheraton Kona Resort and Spa at Keauhou Bay.
Saturday: Keauhou Farmers Market, 8 a.m. to noon at Keauhou Shopping Center. Information on their online market at keauhoufarmersmarket.com/onlinemarket.
Kamuela Farmer鈥檚 Market, 7:30 a.m. to noon at Pukalani Stables.
Waimea Town Market, 7:30 a.m. to noon at the Parker School in central Waimea.
Waimea 91直播stead Farmers Market, 7:30 a.m. to noon at the Waimea Middle and Elementary School playground.
Sunday: Pure Kona Green Market, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Amy Greenwell Garden in Captain Cook.
Hamakua Harvest, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Hwy 19 and Mamane Street in Honoka鈥榓.
Plant advice lines
Anytime: konamg@hawaii.edu
Tuesdays and Thursdays: 9 a.m. to noon at UH-CES in Kainaliu, (808) 322-4893. Or walk in Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays 9 a.m. to noon at UH CES at Konohana in Hilo, (808) 981-5199.
Diana Duff is a plant adviser, educator and consultant living on Oahu and working part time in Kona.