“We also need to make sure we have our temporary systems in place, making sure our emergency food system, food banks, food pantries are provisioned,” said Daniela Spoto, Director of Anti-Hunger Initiatives of advocacy firm Hawaiʻi Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice. “We can use our stimulus funds from the pandemic to support food banks and make sure they are ready to respond when this inevitably results in longer [food distribution] lines.”

But Spoto notes food distribution is only a temporary fix to the real problem.

She hopes lawmakers will invest in systems that address Hawaii’s massive income disparities—like a higher minimum wage and refundable and permanent earned income tax.