Take action to end hunger in Hawai‘i
Hunger continues to be a major issue in Hawaiʻi, where the cost of food on a thrifty budget is some 80 percent higher than the average on the continent—the highest food costs in the United States. Vulnerable populations, including keiki and kupuna, are at particular risk of being food insecure.
To address this critical issue, the Hawaiʻi Hunger Action Network (HHAN) works on select priority issues each year within our four areas of advocacy: economic supports, public benefits, emergency food innovation and disaster preparedness.
Our Current Priorities
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SNAP is a vital safety net that helps Hawai‘i households access basic nutrition and combat food insecurity. However, many individuals and families who struggle with food costs fall outside strict eligibility criteria, while those who do face barriers like long wait times, application errors and limited staff support. Addressing these challenges is essential to covering all families considered Asset-Limited, Income Constrained, and Employed (ALICE).
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Hawaiʻi’s emergency food system is a lifeline for families in the wake of disaster. These institutions rely almost exclusively on private donations and grants, even though local governments rely heavily on them during times of crisis. The Farm to Family program would provide funding to food banks to be used exclusively for purchasing from local farmers, improving emergency food access for families and opening up a local market for farmers during times of economic crisis.
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Many of Hawaiʻi’s students don’t meet the eligibility thresholds for free school meals, yet their families are still struggling to put food on the table. Providing school breakfast and lunch without charge to ALL public school families–regardless of income–is a crucial strategy to guarantee that every child receives necessary nutrition, with added benefits like improved academic performance and support for local farmers.