STAND. COM. REP. NO. 594-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 2208

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems, to which was referred H.B. No. 2208, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FOOD SECURITY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish and appropriate funds for the Hawaii Farm to Families Program to support food banks statewide in purchasing, storing, and transporting fresh, Hawaii-grown or -produced food to food-insecure communities.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity; one member of the Maui County Council; Department of Research and Development of the County of Hawaiʻi; Office of Climate Change, Sustainability, and Resiliency of the City and County of Honolulu; ʻAhahui o nā Kauka; Ulupono Initiative; Kauai Climate Action Coalition; Catholic Charities Hawaiʻi; Green Party of Hawaiʻi; Hawaii Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice; Hawaiʻi Public Health Institute and Healthy Eating, Active Living Coalition; The Food Basket Inc., Hawaiʻi Island's Food Bank; Hawaiʻi Foodbank; Kanalani Ohana Farm; 350Hawaii.org; Local Food Coalition; Hawaii Food Industry Association; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Hawaiʻi Children's Action Network Speaks!; Hawaiʻi Hunger Action Network; Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United; Hawaiʻi Primary Care Association; Hawaiʻi State Youth Commission; Maui Food Bank; Get Fit Kauaʻi; Hawaiʻi Alliance for Progressive Action; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy; Hawaiʻi ʻUlu Producers Cooperative; Agriculture Stewardship Hawaiʻi; Climate Future Forum; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services and one individual.

Your Committee finds that the State faces a persistent food security crisis, with one in three households struggling to access consistent, nutritious food. The burden falls hardest on keiki, with nearly thirty percent of children living in food-insecure homes, leading to serious developmental and health consequences. Your Committee further finds that local farmers face unpredictable markets and distribution challenges, limiting their ability to expand production. This measure establishes and funds the Hawaii Farm to Families Program to strengthen the link between local agriculture and food assistance programs, enabling food banks to purchase, store, and distribute locally grown food and fostering a resilient food system that nourishes communities, supports local agriculture, and reduces dependence on imports.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2208, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems,

____________________________

CORY CHUN, Chair