Community participation during 2024 legislative session highlights pressing nature of food insecurity in Hawaiʻi

The recent Hawaiʻi Foodbank study, The State of Food Insecurity in Hawaiʻi 2023, reveals a stark reality: 1 in 3 Hawaiʻi households experienced food insecurity last year. This sobering statistic underscores the urgent need for robust policy interventions to ensure that all residents have access to adequate and nutritious food.

Hawaiʻi faces one of the highest food prices in the nation. This, coupled with stagnant wages and soaring housing costs makes it increasingly difficult for households to make ends meet and afford nutritious foods. The serious nature of the problem is reflected in the widespread stakeholder interest in the issue—and not just from stalwart nonprofit advocates, but from everyday folks, including more than a dozen Castle High School students who made the trek from Kāneʻohe to the Capitol twice this session to testify in person in support of Universal Free School Meals. Their personal narratives of dealing with food insecurity on a daily basis, both at school and at home, absolutely made an impact on the House lawmakers who were fortunate enough to hear their words.

As we reflect on the achievements and setbacks of the 2024 legislative session, it’s clear that while we have made meaningful progress, much work remains. Advocates, policymakers, and community members must continue to push for comprehensive solutions that address the root causes of food insecurity and ensure that no one in Hawaiʻi goes hungry. Let’s take a closer look at some key bills introduced this session.

Steps Forward

Funding for the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer for Children Program (HB2430)

One bright spot in this year’s legislative session was the passage of House Bill 2430. This bill secures funding for the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer for Children Program (Summer EBT) through summer 2025. The inaugural Summer EBT program is crucial as it provides additional nutritional support to children who rely on school meals during the academic year, but face increased risk of hunger during the summer months.

With this funding in place, we can ensure that more than 100,000 vulnerable keiki will receive the nutrition they need even when school is out this summer, helping to bridge the gap and reduce summertime food insecurity.

Funding for DA BUX Double Up Food Bucks Program (HB2771)

Another critical piece of legislation was HB2771, which sought to secure matching funding for the DA BUX Double Up Food Bucks Program. This innovative program helps Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants by doubling the value of their benefits when purchasing locally-grown fruits and vegetables, resulting in tremendous benefits for the local economy and producers. While HB2771 itself did not pass, there was a silver lining: the state budget (HB1800) included a $1.5M annual recurring allocation to support the DA BUX program.

This funding provides an essential state match to the federal Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP) grant administered by The Food Basket Inc, Hawai'i Island's Food Bank, allowing for expansion into Foodland stores across the state. This funding will also support the continued seamless administration of this successful program, helping more families access healthy, locally sourced food.

The Work Must Continue

Universal Free School Meals (HB1775)

At the heart of our legislative efforts around food equity this year was HB1775, the Universal Free School Meals bill. This initiative aimed to ensure that every public school student in Hawaiʻi would have access to free school meals, regardless of their family’s ability to pay. The rationale was simple yet powerful: hungry keiki can’t learn, and access to nutritious meals is fundamental to a child’s ability to learn and thrive.

Unfortunately, despite strong support from community advocates, students, teachers, and some legislators, HB1775 did not pass. This was a significant disappointment, as universal free school meals have proven benefits, including reducing stigma associated with free meals and improving overall student health and academic performance. Read more about the benefits of universal free school meals and how much it will cost here.

Expanding Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Eligibility Access (SB2135)

Expanding SNAP eligibility was another important bill this session focused on increasing access to public benefits. This bill aimed to establish a state-funded SNAP program, making more families eligible for SNAP benefits. This would have reduced food insecurity by supporting families that might be just above the current 200 percent income eligibility thresholds (about $64,000 for a family of four in 2024), but that are still struggling to afford basic necessities.

Sadly, SB2135 did not make it through the legislative process due to a lack of information regarding cost and impact. This represents a missed opportunity to broaden the safety net and support more households in need. Despite this setback, legislators and local advocates seem very interested in continuing discussion around this type of program to better understand what it could look like, and how much it would cost.

Reflections on the Session

This past legislative session was a whirlwind of policy debates, triumphs, and community advocacy, highlighting the pressing issue of food insecurity in Hawaiʻi. While the passage of Summer EBT (HB2430) and the funding secured for the DA BUX program are significant victories, the failure to pass other important legislation highlights the ongoing struggle to address food insecurity comprehensively at the state level. We will continue to advocate for policies that support vulnerable populations, expand access to nutritious food, and address the broader economic factors contributing to food insecurity.