Hawaii’s Big Island, renowned for its luxurious Kona coffee, is now grappling with a severe water crisis. A 6.0-magnitude earthquake recently hit, causing extensive damage to water catchment systems. These tanks, crucial for local farmers, were destroyed, resulting in the loss of stored rainwater.
Kona’s farms, scattered along the volcanic slopes, rely heavily on the natural rainfall that nourishes coffee crops. Many of these areas lack county water infrastructure, making catchment systems vital. Hundreds of farmers lost access to this water after the earthquake.
Roy Santana, aged 80, stood by the remains of his tank, a stark reminder of the damage. His wife, KayLynne Santana, 71, recounted the chaos as the quake struck. Items fell off shelves, and the water tank collapsed. The earthquake also damaged the rock walls surrounding their farm.
For decades, the Santana family lived without county water, adapting to conserve their supplies. Now, they face a dire situation along with many others in the region, struggling to meet their water needs.
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