Hawaiʻi imports approximately 90% of its food, leaving it vulnerable if shipping is disrupted. Only 12% of households have a recommended two-week emergency food supply. On Hawaiʻi island, the food insecurity rate exceeds 40%, the highest in the state.
Senate Bill 3162, introduced by Sens. Mike Gabbard and Karl Rhoads, aims to create strategic food reserves on each island, managed by the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity. The bill unanimously passed the Senate Agriculture and Environment Committee on Feb. 13.
The proposal calls for a three-month supply of essential, non-perishable foods for at least 25% of each island’s population, scaling to 50% by 2031. Sixty percent of these reserves would come from local crops, with contracts for local producers. This framework integrates with state and county emergency plans, providing a buffer against disruptions.
The bill supports local farmers with market guarantees and prioritizes culturally significant crops like kalo, ʻuala, and ʻulu. An advisory committee, including Native Hawaiian representation, connects food security with cultural identity.
The reserves would rotate stocks through food banks, feeding people in need while maintaining readiness. The bill has garnered support from the Department of Agriculture, the Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau, and the Hawaiʻi Cattlemen’s Council, among others.
SB 3162 now faces the Senate Ways and Means Committee, where funding decisions will be made. Public involvement is crucial for the bill’s progress.
