The Kanoas have worked with FSA since 1979 and turned to the agency when they needed to expand their farming operation.
By Josie Malepeai Lealasola and Faith Umetsu, American Samoa FSA
After several years working as a licensed diesel mechanic Issac Kanoa and his wife Gladys chose to go back to the taro patches in Keanae, Maui, to live as generations of his family did before him.
The difference is that this generation needed room to expand. So they turned to the Farm Service Agency.
“We have been clients of FSA since about 1979 and FSA was there every time we needed assistance to purchase equipment,” shared Gladys Kanoa. The Kanoa’s have been farming for over 30 years and have seen changes at FSA over time. “About 9 years ago Vance Christensen became the Maui FSA Farm Loan Manager and a whole new level of service began. Vance would visit our farm several times a year checking on both our progress and our needs. With his help, we were able to purchase a dump truck and refinance a tractor.”
“This year, during a particularly difficult financial time, FSA came to our rescue again,” Gladys continued. “During loan servicing, FSA proposed the possibility of refinancing our high interest farm credit card and other loan debt. Now we are able to see our loan balances being paid down faster. We couldn’t believe it; from financial stress to a workable plan!”
Vance Christensen retired December 2011, and John Tamashiro has now taken the reins as the Farm Loan Manager for Maui County. Tamashiro boasts over five years with FSA in the Farm Loan Program. His FSA career started at the Honolulu County Office as a Farm Loan Officer and continued when he took a Farm Loan Assistant Manager position with the Hawaii County Office. John’s background in underwriting and as a loan officer with First Hawaiian Bank and Finance Factors respectively have given him a solid foundation for his years of service with the Farm Service Agency.
“I look forward to maintaining the high standards of service that retired Farm Loan Manager Vance Christensen and Program Technician Faith Umetsu have provided over the years,” said Tamashiro. “Every island has a unique agricultural signature and I am excited to immerse myself in the agricultural scene and getting to know the producers of Maui. My goal is to continue to provide efficient assistance and relief during the various challenges our farmers sometimes face.”
