The Joint Committee on Education and Transportation on Feb. 8 moved a major school‑meals proposal forward after hours of testimony from teachers, public‑health advocates, hunger relief groups and dozens of students.

House Bill 17‑75 — a measure to provide free breakfasts and lunches to Hawaii public school students — was passed out of committee with an HD1 amendment that directs funding to the Department of Education’s School Food Services Branch as the committee accepted DOE recommendations about funding flow. Committee members said they were moved by testimony from students and health and community groups about meal debt, barriers to participation and the educational impacts of hunger.

Testimony came from a broad cross section: public‑health organizations (Hawaii Public Health Institute), hunger‑relief coalitions (Hawaii Hunger Action Network), legal and policy groups (Hawaii Appleseed), teacher unions (HSTA), service‑sector unions (IATSE Local 665) and medical professionals. Jordan Smith of Hawaii Appleseed, Nicole Wu of Hawaii Children’s Action Network Speaks, Danielle Espotto of Hawaii Hunger Action Network, and Nate Hicks of Hawaii Public Health Institute all urged passage or expanded coverage; Dr. Cassandra Steinhinson (pediatrician) provided medical testimony on the developmental and learning harms associated with child hunger. A large group of Castle High School students offered personal accounts of meal debt and being denied cafeteria meals.

DOE officials cautioned the committee that providing universal free meals increases the state’s subsidy obligations. Deputy Superintendent Kurt Otaguro and representatives from the School Food Service Branch explained that school‑meal operations are already heavily subsidized: the DOE cited an estimated total operational annual cost for school food services of roughly $156 million and noted that the state currently covers a large portion through general funds, with USDA reimbursements and meal fees composing the rest. The DOE said food and milk costs have risen substantially (food/milk costs were cited as shifting from roughly $40 million pre‑pandemic to about $68 million recently) and that USDA reimbursements do not fully cover current food costs.

There was disagreement on cost projections. Hawaii Appleseed offered a back‑of‑the‑envelope projection of roughly $25.5 million in additional state cost to implement universal free meals (above current appropriations), while other advocates presented different estimates. The DOE said it would collaborate on refining cost estimates and provide the committee with more detailed numbers. The committee deferred House Bill 15‑40 (a Community Eligibility Provision change) and House Bill 2,256 (a narrower reduced‑price elimination bill) for further work, but it ultimately passed HB 17‑75 with the HD1 funding language.

Votes at a glance: HB 17‑75 (universal free school meals) — passed with amendments (HD1) directing funds to DOE School Food Services Branch and deferring implementation language as recommended by DOE; HB 15‑40 and HB 2,256 — deferred for further fiscal and compliance analysis.

Why it matters: Committee members framed the measure as a response to persistent meal debt, barriers to students’ access to nutrition and evidence that hunger undermines learning. DOE emphasized fiscal implications and requested phased implementation language and clear funding channels. Advocates argued that universal free meals reduce administrative burden and address hidden debt and food insecurity that affect student attendance and achievement.

What’s next: HB 17‑75 advances to the next legislative stage with committee amendments; DOE will work with advocates to refine fiscal projections and implementation details and respond to the committee’s requests for more complete cost data.