My name is Som Manivong. I have been a farmer since 2014, when I began my journey as a farmer in Hawai'i. Farming is my livelihood and the way I support myself and my community. Unfortunately, the March 2026 Kona Low Storm brought devastating floods that swept through my farm, destroying all of my crops. Filipino vegetables: bittermelon, sweet peppers, sweet chillis, okra, jamaica, pumpkin, papaya, bananas, and cucumber—all were lost in a matter of hours. Along with the crops, essential equipment like my weedwhackers and generator were also destroyed. While I am grateful that my house was spared, the loss of my crops means the loss of my income and stability.

The funds raised here will go directly toward my immediate needs as I work to recover and rebuild. Your support will help me replace lost equipment, begin replanting, and cover basic expenses while I get back on my feet. This is a difficult time, and culturally, asking for help is not easy for me. But I am reaching out because I truly need support to move forward. Thank you for any help you can give—I can’t express enough how much it means to me.