Hawai‘i Farmers Face $11M Storm Damage, Limited Insurance

The Globe and Atlas

Summary

Hawai‘i farmers face over $10.5M in storm damages with limited crop insurance.

Why this matters

This situation underscores the vulnerability of small farms to climate change and the necessity for better risk management and insurance options.

Hawai‘i farmers are grappling with over $10.5 million in damages due to three storms affecting North Shore of Oʻahu, Maui, Molokaʻi, and the Big Island. With only 3% of farmers carrying federal crop insurance, many are left without coverage, facing losses of crops, livestock, and infrastructure.

The damage includes $5.2 million to Oʻahu farms, $2.7 million on the Big Island, and $2.3 million on Maui. Reports from Agriculture Stewardship Hawaiʻi and the Hawaiʻi Farmers Union show that many farmers lack insurance, making recovery difficult. Some crops, like nurseries and bananas, have insurance through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), but coverage is minimal, with only 225 out of 6,500 farms insured.

Responding to the crisis, local and state legislators are exploring support options for these small farms, such as House Bill 2594, which could lead to a state-backed insurance program. The storms have highlighted the need for feasible insurance solutions amid increasing climate-related threats.

Federal and state aid remains uncertain. The Trump administration’s aid restrictions and recent insurance pullbacks in states like California underscore the challenges. Local initiatives now focus on emergency loans and small grants, but many farmers, already struggling with debt, see loans as a less viable option.

Despite the state approving $500,000 for the emergency loan program, disbursements have not fully addressed the farmers’ immediate needs, leading to potential long-term consequences for Hawai‘i’s agricultural industry.

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