ORLANDO "THE COWBOY GALIZA": 30 YEARS OF SERVICE

By Emi Suzuki

If a movie was ever made about Sumida Farm, I imagine Orlando as the star—the handsome, strong, steady lead character with the best smile that makes his eyes twinkle. I’m not sure what actor is worthy of playing the important role of Orlando Galiza, but it would have to be a special actor who could portray the depth and complexity of such a brave, hardworking, caring leader in Orlando. 

I was just 9 years old when Orlando first started working on the farm. He is one of three brothers who work on our incredible field crew. My Uncle Dave calls him “the Cowboy Galiza,” because you will often see him roaming the farm with a hat and his boots, hauling 200+ pounds of watercress in a rickety wheelbarrow like a bad ass cowboy. His long tenure on our farm has given him the wisdom and experience to be a true expert at knowing the ‘aina and cultivating and harvesting watercress.

For years, our field crew has asked for a whole goat to roast for a farm lunch. We were having trouble sourcing a whole goat, but thanks to our new Farm Chef/Operations Assistant Manager, Elijah, he was able to make all our dreams come true! For Orlando’s 30th work anniversary celebration, Chef Elijah and his amazing ‘ohana, roasted a whole goat over a fire pit, and it was the star of our kamayan style lunch. We joked that it was fitting we celebrate the G.O.A.T. of Sumida Farm with a goat! 

Mahalo nui loa to Orlando for 30 years of service! Not only has he worked tirelessly for Sumida Farm, but he has worked for Hawai’i, ensuring the islands have access to watercress by being a steward of the ‘aina.