In the morning on Saturday, May 23rdAND A magnitude 6.0 earthquake hits Honaunau-Napoopoo on the Big Island of Hawaii. It is the largest earthquake Hawaii has experienced in four years, since a 6.2-magnitude quake in October 2021 south of the shore on the Massive Island, about 50 miles from where it last struck. Fortunately, no deaths were confirmed from the natural disaster, but there was extensive damage, including to water storage tanks that many Kona coffee plantations apply to power their crops.
As reported by the portal New York Timesmany rural farming communities around the Massive Island do not have piped water. Instead, they rely on rainwater not only to power their crops, but also to fill the water tanks they apply in their homes and fields. According to a 2017 University of Hawaii study, as many as 60,000 people apply watershed systems to supplement their county water supply or as their sole source of water, and most of them live in Kona.
These catchers can hold approximately 10,000 gallons of water, and all water is lost if damaged. According to the NYT, the exact number of damaged watershed systems is not yet known, but one of two major dealers in Kona says it has already received more than 200 calls from people wanting to buy up-to-date ones. To meet demand, the company must bring in additional staff from Oahu.
Coffee growers in Kona have already experienced significant setbacks this year from spring storms known as “Kona Lows” – powerful spring storms that caused widespread flood damage and required evacuations and rescue operations. Coffee farmers are still recovering from the damage, and their primary water supply has now dropped to zero.
Local authorities sent 2,000-gallon water tankers to Kona to facilitate meet residents’ immediate needs. However, the long-term future of the farms remains in doubt.
