Hawaiʻi food banks report canceled shipments and frozen funds amid federal cuts
As the uncertainty around the Trump administration's possible cuts continues, the need for food assistance grows and the federal resources to fill that need shrink, the food banks are considering what to do.
The price of hunger: Navigating the cost burden of free meals for Hawaiʻi students
Hawaiʻi Appleseed’s “Equity on the Menu” shows a cost estimate of $26 million per year. This would be 1.2 percent of the Hawaiʻi DOE’s overall annual budget, set this year at just over $2 billion.
Hawaiʻi families could face big price hike for school meals
Charging elementary and middle school students $4.75 for lunch would be a huge hit to working families, advocates say.
Hawaiʻi County Council could join call for free school meals statewide
A resolution introduced by the council said that Hawaiʻi Island has the highest rate of food insecurity in the state, but the issue is statewide.
Keiki Caucus introduces 2025 legislative package
Legislators and advocates identified five top priority issues impacting Hawaiʻi’s youth and families, including tax credits for household and dependent care services, funding for community schools, paid family leave, e-cigarette regulations, and universal free school breakfast and lunches.
Legislators look to support student recovery from the pandemic
Some lawmakers and advocates say schools need more help with funding gaps, especially after federal assistance expired this fall.
14,000 more Hawaii families may be eligible for SNAP benefits under new rules
Department of Human Services says it is unsure when it can make the eligibility fix because it requires changes to the state’s 40-year-old computer system.
Hawaiʻi lawmakers spent big on public schools this year
But education advocates said the Legislature did little to address problems such as school bus driver shortages, fire safety and the need for more preschool teachers.
Legislative deadline looms over universal free school meals bill
A bill to provide universal free school meals in Hawaiʻi is once again in jeopardy at the state Legislature.
Enthusiasm surrounds measure to provide universal free school meals
Thousands of students already take advantage of programs for free or discounted meals, but access often depends on a family’s income. Many students in low-income families need the support but can't get it.
More Hawaiʻi schools qualify for free meal programs but the state may not participate
Recent changes to a federal program could allow for a significant expansion of free school meals in Hawaiʻi, but it's unclear if the state will opt in.
Hawaiʻi sees first school meal reimbursement rate increase in 40 years
A long awaited boost to federal child nutrition program funds announced by the US Department of Agriculture in February, is now flowing into the state.
Bill aims to keep more kupuna eligible for SNAP benefits
The Keep Kupuna Fed Act would exempt Title II income, or Social Security benefits, from counting against benefits under SNAP, which provides low-income households with financial assistance to purchase food.
Hawaiʻi food insecurity persists post COVID-19
Even as Hawaiʻi distances itself from the harshest effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, anti-hunger advocates say that elevated food insecurity among residents has not only persisted but is growing.
Food and farming advocates look to state budget after mixed results this session
Despite a bumper crop of food and agriculture bills being submitted this session, several marquee pieces of legislation appear to be on death’s door.
Lawmakers are keeping pressure on DOE for school meal plans
Farmers and ranchers see an opportunity for ongoing collaboration.
Lack of leadership hurts farm-to-school
The narrow-mindedness of our legislative leaders not only is compromising the education of our students in the short term, it is preventing long-term resilience for all of us.
Bills to transform Hawaiʻi’s school meals die in Senate
The bills aimed to provide cheaper and more locally sourced meals to the nearly 170,000 public and charter school students in Hawaiʻi.
Hawaiʻi families are on the edge of a ‘hunger cliff’ now that extra food stamps are gone
Nearly half of Hawaiʻi recipients of food support are employed but the end of additional federal assistance is going to sting.
DOE hopes a $35 million kitchen in Wahiawa will improve school lunches and give farmers a boost
The DOE plans for a centralized kitchen concept but local advocates say it's better to increase cooking capacity at individual schools.