Gov. David Ige and Hawaiʻi Appleseed Executive Director Gavin Thorton joined us today for a Q&A video on the COVID-19 Care Conversation.

The allocations of the federal aid money drew criticism from social service agencies while the process of adopting the budget measure, using a method called gut-and-replace, riled others.

This may be a once-in-a-lifetime chance to pivot toward the kind of food system we want for Hawaiʻi’s future.

Lawmakers say they will use $635 million in CARES Act funds to assist the unemployed and local businesses, but advocates say it’s still not enough.

The situation for renters is likely to get worse in the coming months, especially after the $600 boost to federal unemployment benefits expires July 31.

The Working Families Coalition released a plan to distribute $362 million including CARES Act funds to help families with rent, food, healthcare and more.

"It's constant disruption and multitasking, feeling like you're failing at all of them at the same time," says a mother of two who's also working full time.

Community programs are supplementing the Grab-and-Go program but they too are lagging behind last summer’s participation and may not be enough to meet demand.

Nicole Woo, senior policy analyst with Hawaiʻi Appleseed, worries that other community groups may not be around this summer to pick up the slack.

Nearly one-third of adults in Hawaiʻi either missed last month’s rent or mortgage payment, or have “slight or no confidence that their household can pay next month’s rent or mortgage on time.”

Disaster preparedness experts have worried for years about Hawaiʻi’s food security. The COVID-19 disruption has made kūpuna particularly at risk for hunger.

Lawmakers and others should be taking a hard look at short-term fixes as well as long-term solutions for food insecurity.

Many seniors face food challenges from mobility issues to dietary restrictions. And there’s another factor that’s increased in recent months: social isolation.

More than 60 nonprofits want the state to expand its safety net to help immigrants and other marginalized groups.

Our state and county leaders have critical work ahead to deliver on those values. Let’s hope we put ones in who are ready to chart the future we all want.

The Hawaiʻi governor suspended state laws that allow citizens access to public meetings and records while officials struggle to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.

The healthy lunches prepared according to USDA standards, will continue to be distributed to children in need 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., Mon.–Fri., through April 3.

Nonprofit groups are offering free grab-and-go lunches to children at various sites on Oʻahu to supplement those being offered at many public schools by the DOE.

The grab-and-go meals at a handful of sites around Oʻahu supplement the DOE’s own meal service which began this week while schools are closed.

It's up to all of us to ensure that our keiki have the nutrition they need to be academically successful and healthy.