House finance committee advances bill to expand free school meals after hours of public testimony

The House Committee on Finance voted to recommend passage of Senate Bill 1300 SD1 HD1, a measure that would expand free and reduced-price school meals for eligible families, after more than two hours of public testimony from students, teachers and advocacy groups.

Advocates told the committee the bill would reduce food insecurity in Hawaii’s public schools and asked lawmakers to consider amending the measure to provide free meals to all students. “Providing free school lunches for all students will remove that huge stress,” said Cindy Walker, a student at Mililani Middle School, adding that many classmates “sit around watching others eat.”

The bill matters because school meals are a primary source of daily nutrition for many keiki and supporters argued access affects attendance, learning and equality among students. Testimony came from a wide range of groups, including Unite Here Local 5, Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Appleseed, Hawaii Hunger Action Network and Hawaii Children’s Action Network, as well as dozens of individual parents, teachers and students.

Committee members pressed the Department of Education (DOE) for implementation details and costs. Committee discussion referenced DOE’s earlier estimates, which the committee heard included about $3.3–$3.5 million for the bill in its current draft and an estimated $20 million in lost revenue to make school meals universally free statewide. The DOE said staff would follow up with more detailed projections, including year‑over‑year operating and administrative costs and any one‑time capital needs.

Advocates urged additional amendments, including clarifying existing provisions that require parents to pay a partial share under current law and adding the National School Breakfast Program to the bill’s cross‑references so breakfast is clearly included. Hawaii Appleseed asked the committee to amend an unrelated statute that requires parents to pay half the cost the DOE pays for meals, saying that conflict would need resolution for the new benefit to operate as intended.

Students' personal testimony was a recurring theme. “No student should have to put their school lunch back just because there’s too much debt,” said Gianna “Gigi” Pasao, a fourth grader, who testified in support and urged expansion to all students. Teachers and school staff recounted seeing kids denied meals or arriving at school hungry, and witnesses asked the committee to consider the administrative barriers that prevent eligible families from enrolling—forms that are given in English and must be returned by families, a process some speakers called exclusionary.

The committee advanced the bill without amendment, noting the DOE will provide the requested cost and administrative details as the Legislature moves toward conference and budget negotiations. Committee members flagged funding as a recurring concern: several members noted the bill’s costs would be considered in the larger budget process, and some asked staff to identify possible funding sources or offsets.

The DOE and testifying groups also discussed federal options such as the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) and USDA programs that schools use to expand free meals. Witnesses urged the committee to evaluate ramp‑up timelines that would allow the DOE to implement expanded benefits without disrupting current operations.

The committee’s recommendation advances SB 1300 to the next stage. The vote does not appropriate final funds; any long‑term or recurring costs will be addressed in the budget conference process and future hearings.

Looking ahead, committee members said they expect additional figures from DOE on per‑meal unit costs, administrative O&M, and the effect of higher participation rates on per‑meal pricing; those numbers will shape whether the Legislature pursues further expansion toward universal free meals.