Hawaii’s agricultural community is bracing for a long recovery following the recent Kona Low storm, and a new statewide tool is now available to help farmers and ranchers document damage and access critical resources. Launched on March 18, 2026, the Hawaiʻi Agriculture Disaster Response – Statewide Rapid Assessment Tool aims to streamline the reporting process and improve coordination between producers, organizations, and government agencies as the islands assess the full extent of the storm’s impact on crops, livestock, and infrastructure. The initiative comes as Hawaii faces increasingly frequent and severe climate-related disasters, underscoring the need for a more efficient and collaborative response system.
The tool was developed through a partnership between Agriculture Stewardship Hawaiʻi (a DBA of Oʻahu RC&D), Hawaiʻi Farmers Union (HFU), Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau (HFBF), and Hawaiʻi Cattlemen’s Council (HCC). According to a press release from the Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau, the platform is designed to provide a real-time picture of agricultural impacts across the state, enabling a more targeted and effective allocation of aid.
Understanding the Scope of the Damage
The Kona Low storm brought torrential rainfall and damaging winds to several islands, impacting a wide range of agricultural operations. While a comprehensive assessment is still underway, initial reports suggest significant losses in several key sectors. The new assessment tool allows agricultural producers to report disaster impacts to their operations, calculate estimated financial losses, and identify potential federal, state, and local recovery programs. Producers can also share information with their affiliated farm organizations for follow-up support and offer assistance to fellow producers in need.
Amanda Shaw, Statewide Food Systems Coordinator at Agriculture Stewardship Hawaiʻi, explained the impetus behind the tool. According to reporting from Maui Now, the tool “came out of conversations with HFU in the wake of the Maui wildfires and with the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity.” Shaw emphasized the importance of a shared platform to “speed up support, strengthen coordination, and ensure resources reach those who need them most.”
How the Rapid Assessment Tool Works
The Hawaiʻi Agriculture Disaster Response – Statewide Rapid Assessment Tool is designed to be user-friendly and accessible to all agricultural producers. The platform allows users to document damage by reporting impacts to their operations, calculating estimated financial losses, and identifying potential recovery programs. The tool also facilitates communication and collaboration within the agricultural community.
The press release from the Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau encourages producers, when This proves safe to do so, to check their fields, buildings, equipment, and livestock areas for damage. It specifically advises taking photos *before* beginning any cleanup efforts and making detailed notes of observed impacts, such as flooded areas, damaged crops, broken fences, or debris. This documentation will be crucial for submitting accurate reports through the assessment tool and supporting claims for assistance.
A Collaborative Effort for Recovery
The development of this tool highlights the growing collaboration among agricultural organizations in Hawaii. The Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau, which serves as “Hawai’i’s voice of agriculture” according to its website Hawaii Farm Bureau, has been a key partner in the initiative, alongside Agriculture Stewardship Hawaiʻi, which is currently transitioning from a partnership between Oʻahu Resource & Conservation Development Council (Oʻahu RC&D) and Oʻahu Agriculture and Conservation Association (OACA) Agriculture Stewardship Hawaiʻi. The Hawaiʻi Farmers Union and Hawaiʻi Cattlemen’s Council also played vital roles in bringing the tool to fruition.
This collaborative approach is seen as essential for navigating the challenges posed by increasing climate-related disasters. By working together, these organizations aim to ensure that the agricultural community receives the support it needs to recover and rebuild.
Looking Ahead
Data collected through the Statewide Rapid Assessment Tool will be analyzed to create a comprehensive picture of the agricultural impacts of the Kona Low storm. This information will be used to advocate for appropriate resources and funding from state and federal agencies. The organizations involved are committed to providing ongoing support to producers as they perform to recover from the storm’s effects.
The next step for producers is to utilize the assessment tool to report damages and begin the process of identifying available assistance programs. Updates on recovery efforts and available resources will be shared through the participating organizations’ websites and communication channels.
If you are a member of Hawaii’s agricultural community impacted by the recent storm, please consider utilizing the Hawaiʻi Agriculture Disaster Response – Statewide Rapid Assessment Tool. Share your experiences and help ensure that the needs of the sector are met during this challenging time.
