Aluon Farms, located in Kapolei, is currently offering their featured products of year-round Ewa sweet corn, seasonal Ewa sweet onions, and seasonal Ewa sweet melons. Their products can be found at local grocers and farmers markets.
Summer specials include a deliciously sweet honeydew melon that is rich in vitamin B6, folate, potassium, and a very good source of vitamin C. In addition, the sunburst melon is a muskmelon with the essence of cantaloupe, an excellent source of vitamin C and beta carotene. Also, their signature melon is the Thai watermelon, which is fantastic source of vitamins A and C as well as potassium and fiber. The Thai watermelon also contains much lycopene and three times more antioxidants than raw tomatoes!
We are also nearing the Aluon Farms Pumpkin Patch season. Reservations for the pumpkin patch began in May, but the Pumpkin Patch Festival, where the public can pick their own pumpkins, will be the last two weekends in October. Tours are also given for teachers, parents, and pumpkin seekers on weekdays. This festival is partnered with the Hawaii Foodbank where a free mini-pumpkin or gourd is given for all donations.
Four workers at Aluon Farms claimed they were forced to work at the farm for lower wages than they were promised and required by law and forced to live in a storage container on the farm. These workers claimed the farm owners kept their passports and could not leave the farm. In January 2010 the Honolulu Star Bulletin stated, "Aloun Farm owners Alec and Mike Sou pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court to conspiring to commit forced labor in connection with the importation of the workers in 2004." The two men acknowledged that they held 44 Thai men in forced labor with threats of physical restraint and serious harm to intimidate the workers. The workers were also held in fear of their leaving the farm to work elsewhere.
The Honolulu Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigations stated:
“Holding other human beings in servitude against their will is a violation of individual rights that is intolerable in a free society,” stated Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division. “This prosecution demonstrates our commitment to combating human trafficking in all its forms, vindicating the rights of trafficking victims, and bringing human traffickers to justice.”
“Labor traffickers prey on vulnerable victims and their dreams of a better life. Those who conspire to hold workers in forced labor undermine this country’s promise of liberty and opportunity,” said Florence T. Nakakuni, U.S. Attorney for the District of Hawaii. “We will continue to hold accountable those who seek to enrich themselves at the expense of the freedom, rights, and dignity of others.”
The brothers denied that they ever threatened any workers, but were accused of charging the workers $16,000 upfront for contracts to work at Aluon Farms for 3 1/2 years. While working with a recruiter in Thailand and a broker in California, the Sous' plea agreements admit they told the workers they would send the workers back to Thailand with no opportunity to pay off their loans, if they disobeyed, failed to follow directions, or tried to leave.
This case has escalated to involving six people being charged with human trafficking for exploiting 400 Thai farm workers. All these workers are experiencing the same issues of lower pay than promised, fees to work on the farms, and threats to send the Thai farm workers back to Thailand without the ability to pay their debts. The U.S. Department of Justice states, "The Justice Department announced that a federal grand jury in Honolulu indicted Mordechai Orian, an Israeli national; Pranee Tubchumpol, Shane Germann and Sam Wongsesanit of Global Horizons Manpower Inc., located in Los Angeles; and Thai labor recruiters Ratawan Chunharutai and Podjanee Sinchai for engaging in a conspiracy to commit forced labor and document servitude."
However, Fox News states, "two former state governors, community groups, fellow farmers and other supporters are trying to keep them out of prison." The produce grown at Aluon Farms is important for the local food supply. Produce grown at Aluon Farms is sold at both local grocery stores as well as in farmers markets around the island. Aluon Farms is not a vendor at these farmers markets, but provides products through other vendors. Eliminating their products could potentially mean that local consumers will have no choice but purchase produce that is shipped here, which is against the idea of going green.
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