15 YEARS OF SERVICE - PAULINO'S RETIREMENT

By Emi Suzuki

I have always looked up to and admired our field workers.  This team of hardworking and dedicated farmers are the heart of Sumida Farm.  I would wake up to the sounds of our crew arriving for work, long before the sun would rise.  In fact, some workers would arrive as people were still stumbling out of Monterey Bay Canners after a long night of drinking and karaoke.

As I transitioned into working for the farm in 2020, my admiration only grew for our field crew as they continued to show up day in and day out, through the pandemic, in stormy weather and hot long days, continuing to work even as it felt the whole world was falling apart around us.

Paulino is one of the steady anchors of this incredible crew.  He started with our farm 15 years ago in 2009 at an age where most people are retired and at home, sitting in a recliner chair all day.  In those 15 years, I estimate he cut over 316 tons of watercress by hand!  Through his work, he helped to nourish families and care for the 'aina, ensuring our farm could continue to exist and thrive.  While the work may not be glamorous, I believe what our field crew does is some of the most noble work.  All of our workers are true heroes and Paulino is one of the best.

Paulino decided to retire this year and we thank him for his 15 years of service to the farm and to Hawai'i.  We will miss him so much, but are so happy and proud to see him get a much-deserved retirement and well earned rest!  To celebrate him, we threw a retirement party for him and his family at the farm.  If I had it my way, I would have made the day a state holiday because he has done so much for the islands.  Please join us in celebrating and thanking a local hero, Paulino!  Congratulations Paulino and we wish you the best of luck in your retirement!