Small Business Spotlight: Sumida Farm - Nourishing community

Green fields of watercress right next to busy Pearlridge Center? It’s unexpected, it’s refreshing, and it’s a beloved part of the ‘Aiea neighborhood. This is Sumida Farm, started in 1928 by Makiyo and Moiichi Sumida.

“My maiden name was Sumida, and I’m the fourth generation of Sumidas to manage the farm,” says Emi Suzuki. “I’m really proud that back in the days when sugarcane and pineapple were taking over the agriculture industry in the Islands, my great-grandparents chose a crop that would be able to feed local families. That’s our origin story.”

“People connect with the farm at a very deep level,” adds Kyle Suzuki. “They grew up visiting or driving by the farm. So we spend a lot of time interacting with them on social media, sharing our history and the collaborations and partnerships we have with the community.”

“I would say each generation has faced one major crisis,” says Emi. “For us, it was the pandemic. I had been in my position as president for, I want to say a week, when we needed to start thinking about it. It was incredibly jarring and traumatic, but our CPB bankers walked us through the whole process.”

“We didn’t have to lay anyone off in that timeframe,” says Kyle. “And we think a lot of that had to do with the support and partnership CPB gave us.”

“CPB is special,” says Emi. “You know, my uncle walks into our ‘Aiea branch and they all greet him by name. They’ve even been known to call and make sure everything’s ok if they haven’t seen him one week. What’s important is the personal attachment, and we have that with CPB.”