As a result of Hawaiʻi’s delicate food system, more and more residents are finding themselves food insecure. Impact of this insecurity is palpable with 56% of food insecure households reporting poor or very poor health in 2023 according to Hawaiʻi Food Bank.

Not to mention the 20.9% higher likelihood of depressive symptoms felt by food insecure adults in Hawaiʻi.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or “SNAP,” is a federally funded, state administered program established to assist households with food accessibility. The program is diverse and benefits range from grocery assistance, child care subsidies, transportation assistance, to after school programs.

Hawaiʻi’s 2024 SNAP review has documented a monthly average of over 160,000 residents that rely on the program’s benefits.

Total households in Hawaiʻi that are eligible for SNAP are around 210,000, only 62% of which are actually enrolled. SNAP Hawaiʻi aims to address food insecurity but falls short due to inefficient staffing, outdated eligibility requirements, and tedious reapplication processes.

Let’s review some of the bills from the 2025 legislative session — dead and alive — that aim to remedy these issues, in an attempt to capture the status of SNAP related legislation.

Faster Response Rates

SNAP’s staffing issue severely limits residents’ access to benefits. The SNAP applicant experience is often characterized by four-plus hour holds over the phone and lost applications. Subsequently discouraging them from applying, and losing what could’ve been a saving grace for their finances and more importantly their own health.

Senate Bill 960 seeks to remedy this by allocating appropriate funds for staffing the Department of Human Services, to boost employment and better serve Hawaiian residents. This means faster response rates, increased accessibility and acceptance rates, and healthier Hawaiian families. 

What qualifies a household for SNAP benefits is their gross income level in relation to the federal poverty level. Right now the range is between zero and 200% of the poverty level, this range is wildly efficient and outdated. Even making $1 over this threshold causes “clifts” in data marking, where families are ripped from benefits because of a slight overage.

Senate Bill 53 proposed to remedy this by increasing the threshold by another 100% in order to keep families within the benefit range. The bill wasn’t heard due to federal threats of defunding the program, however, the introduction of this bill is evidence of progress. 

House Bill 1099 addresses issues regarding SNAP error rates that occurred during the span of Covid-19. During the pandemic, approval rates were modified to help people access the help they need.

Post-Covid, the program ran into an issue where there was trouble resuming normal benefits eligibility, causing these error rates. This resulted in a penalty of $10.9 million. Rather than paying this in full, House Bill 1099 suggests the reinvestment of half ($5.4 million) of the penalty towards the development of a new eligibility system.

HB 1099 supports the reduction of payment error rates and potentially supports better access to these benefits. One idea that can be suggested is the increase of staffing with that funding.

Current SNAP certification periods only last for one year, which means re-application is necessary to keep receiving benefits. The re-application process is tedious and requires an interview, creating an obstacle for the elderly, disabled, and those with tight working schedules to reapply for SNAP benefits.

Senate Bill 961 aimed to address these recertification issues by extending the minimum certification period to 24-36 months. DHS would also participate in the elderly simplified application project to simplify eligibility determinations for elderly. But the bill died.

The fight for food security in Hawaiʻi is far from over. Senate Bill 960 makes it clear that residents are tired of seeing vital programs like SNAP struggle for support while the cost of living continues to rise.

Despite setbacks, advocates and community members persist, using their voices, stories, and data to highlight the importance of these programs. Hawaiʻi has long prioritized food resilience and cultural enrichment, yet it fails to adequately fund and staff the very programs that can turn those goals into reality. 

As emergency measures become uncertain, families are once again left to navigate an unforgiving economic landscape. Grocery store shelves are full, but affordability remains out of reach for many. 

One of the most effective ways to create change is through direct civic engagement. Residents must continue to reach out to lawmakers to support and pass bills like SB 960 and SB 961.

Calling, emailing, and meeting with representatives can communicate the urgency of these issues, ensuring they remain a legislative priority. Grassroots advocacy has already played a role in keeping food security on the agenda — now, it’s up to the people to keep pushing. 

Hawaiʻi must act now to protect and expand SNAP. The testimonies, the statistics, and the lived experiences all tell the same story: People need help, and the state has the power to provide it. By investing in these programs, we invest in the well-being of our people, our economy, and our future. The time for action is now.