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| This house that gained fame years ago as the Hobbit House bed and breakfast was hit by a river of mud and rocks during Hurricane Hone. Now a beekeeper's home, it is located on Ha'ao Springs Road in Wai‘ōhinu. Photo from Trip Advisor |
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| A stream of dirt and rock came through the Hobbit House in Wai‘ōhinu on Sunday. Photo by Bob Martin |
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| More mud traveled through the home near Ha'ao Springs. Photo by Bob Martin |
The dwelling earned the name the Hobbit House when it was built decades ago and became a popular Bed & Breakfast. It is currently the home of a mother and beekeeper son, who said he will be trying to recover his inventory of harvested honey through which he makes a living. The two said they will attempt to raise money to repair the home.
A county crew was working on Ha'ao Springs Road on Monday to clear it from debris.
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| Rocks from the flood piled up against thte Hobbit House. Photo by Bob Martin |
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| The floodway that cut through the bottom of the Hobbit House. Photo by Bob Martin |
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| A County crew works to clear debris from Ha'ao Springs Road in Wai‘ōhinu on Monday. Photo by Bob Martin |
The Ag agents recommend documentation of all damages with (clear and focused) photos and/or video. Review inventory and take note of anything damaged or missing. Be sure to receive clearance from the insurance agent before doing any clean-up, repairs, or replacements related to an insurance claim.
A USDA Farm Service Agency Bulletin has been issued, called Preparation for State of Hawai'i Farm Service Agency Producer. It says, "Tropical storm Hone is one of three storms in the Pacific Basin that may have some impact on your farm, ranch and your crop(s) or livestock. As current or future FSA program participants, we suggest you document and update your personal farm inventory/production records and take pictures before the impact of a disaster event. Should you sustain any type of damage, document, take pictures after the disaster event and contact County FSA Offices." See https://www.fsa.usda.gov/state-offices/Hawaii/service-centers/index?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery. Those without federal Risk Management Agency crop insurance may qualify for assistance from FSA. Inquire with the local FSA office.
The ag agents said, "Crop insurance is like life, medical, and car insurance. If you don't have a current policy when an emergency occurs, an insurance company will not help pay for your losses and recovery. Consider crop insurance policies before storms and hurricanes cause damage and be sure to sign up during their open enrollment period. Farm information and records will be required by the insurance agent."
Agriculturalists who would like information about crop insurance, visit: http://bit.ly/2eVzuc5. Click on "List of Crops That Can Be Insured" on the left side of the page or scroll down to photos of fruit and nut trees and factsheets for Hawaii's insurable crops. They provide an idea of deadlines and other insurance information. Contact an agent for updated details and to answer any questions. The deadline to enroll or make changes to existing policies is Dec. 31st for banana tree, coffee fruit, coffee tree, macadamia nut, and papaya tree crop insurance.
IF IMPACTED BY HONE, farmers and ranchers in County of Hawai'i can complete the COH Civil Defense Agency Public Damage Report
at https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/13ffdc337b544dc0a8665fcdf9e67957. Information provided in this report will ensure that the County of Hawai'i can send a damage assessor to assess the damage caused by a natural or man-made disaster. The data collected will allow County officials to determine if this jurisdiction qualifies for any state or federal assistance, as well as to assist with hazard mitigation planning.
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NĀ’ĀLEHU ELEMENTARY AND KAʻŪ HIGH & PĀHALA ELEMENTARY will reopen on Tuesday. With Hwy 11 reopening one lane late Monday at Kawā flats, following closure due to flooding from Hurricane Hone, family, school and public transportation will be able to bring students and staff to and from the schools.
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