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Panel warns Hawaii food insecurity is widespread as counties weigh local responses
Summary
A new Hawaii Food Bank survey presented to the Honolulu committee found 32% of households statewide experienced food insecurity in the prior 12 months, with notable disparities for young adults and Filipino households; panelists urged county-level planning, summer and kupuna feeding expansion, and direct funding to food banks.
A county briefing at the Honolulu Committee on Energy, Environment and Sustainability on Nov. 18 presented new statewide data showing rising food insecurity and urged local policy and program responses.
Leah Herman, director of advocacy at Hawaii Food Bank, told the committee the statewide survey (May–June 2025, ~1,000 respondents) found "32 percent of Hawaii households were food insecure," and that two-thirds of those households experienced "very low food security," meaning some residents skipped meals or went whole days without eating. Herman said 34% of households with children were food insecure — up from 29% in 2023 — and that young adults (ages 18–29) showed the highest rate of insecurity at 53%.
The data, Herman said, also showed racial and ethnic disparities: Filipino households were the most affected (near 50%), followed by Hispanic…
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