WAIAHÖLE — Dozens of volunteers converged at Seguin Family Farms on Sunday to help the Windward Oahu operation recover after Waikāne Stream overflowed, depositing mud, rocks and branches across fields and damaging crops and infrastructure. Cleanup crews began work around 7 a.m., reopening pathways and clearing waterways as the family assessed losses from the third flood to strike the property this year.
Immediate damage and response
Volunteers focused on removing debris and repairing growing structures that support staple crops. Organizers reported damage to Saba banana plants, ti leaf and various vegetable trellises, and said crews worked to restore access to irrigation channels disturbed by sediment and woody debris.
The Seguin family asked helpers to come prepared for hands-on labor: wear work clothes and boots, and bring gloves, water and sun protection. Cleanup tools were also welcomed. Organizers emphasized that even short shifts make a measurable difference, and that the effort relied on community labor in addition to monetary donations.
“You never realize… how damaging water can be,” Jordan Seguin wrote after the flooding.
Fundraising gap
As the family continued recovery efforts on Sunday, they reported being approximately $15,000 short of their fundraising goal on the farm’s GoFundMe page. In an update, the Seguins expressed gratitude to those who had supported them so far.
“To everyone who donated, shared, reached out, checked on us, or offered a helping hand — mahalo nui loa and maraming salamat,” the family wrote.
Why this matters
Seguin Family Farms is part of a network of small-scale producers on Windward Oahu that supply local markets and sustain cultural and subsistence practices. Repeated flooding in a single season threatens the farms’ ability to produce crops, maintain infrastructure and absorb the financial burden of repairs. The cumulative effect of three floods compounds risks to seedlings and perennial plants, erodes topsoil and raises questions about long-term resilience for small farms in flood-prone areas.
- When cleanup began: Around 7 a.m. Sunday
- Damaged items reported: Saba banana plants, ti leaf, vegetable trellises
- Fundraising shortfall: About $15,000 as of Sunday morning
- Number of floods this year at the farm: Three
How the community can help
Volunteers arriving to assist were asked to bring personal protective items and tools; organizers accepted donated equipment and monetary contributions via the farm’s online fundraiser. Officials coordinating the effort urged volunteers to prioritize safety while working near streambanks and in muddy conditions.
Community members who cannot assist in person can support the farm through sharing the fundraising page or donating. The Seguins noted the difference even brief volunteer shifts make during intensive recovery days.
Local context and potential implications
Repeated stream overflow events that inundate low-lying agricultural parcels reflect broader concerns about intense, localized rainfall and watershed response on Oahu’s windward side. For small farms without extensive capital reserves or insurance tailored for flood damage, frequent inundation can lead to permanent losses of perennial crops and increased operating costs for rebuilding infrastructure such as trellises, fencing and water channels.
For consumers and local markets, the immediate impact is often a temporary reduction in supply of specialty or locally grown produce. For the Seguin family, the reported losses to Saba banana plants and ti leaf may affect both cultural uses and seasonal sales in the months following the flood.
| Item | Reported status |
|---|---|
| Saba banana plants | Damaged |
| Ti leaf | Damaged |
| Vegetable trellises | Damaged |
| Fundraising shortfall | About $15,000 |
Organizers encouraged continued offers of help as the family moves from immediate debris removal to longer-term restoration work. The Seguins and volunteers face ongoing tasks: rebuilding trellises, replanting where feasible and stabilizing channels to reduce future overflow impacts.
Those interested in volunteering or contributing should check the farm’s GoFundMe page for current updates and coordination details. Community assistance in the wake of the latest flood underscores both the vulnerability of small farms to extreme weather and the role of neighbors in supporting recovery.
Keoni Kahale, WE NEWS.
