#HCAN Speaks

Hawaiʻi is among six states approved by the US Department of Agriculture to impose new restrictions on food purchases under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, a change that will limit what SNAP recipients can buy beginning in 2026.

The new law, which takes effect on Jan. 1, 2026, expands eligibility to include 2-year-olds and removes burdensome accreditation requirements for child care providers—reducing barriers and increasing child care capacity across Hawaiʻi.

Hawaiʻi Children’s Action Network Speaks! (HCAN Speaks!), a nonprofit advocacy organization supporting Hawaiʻi families, is celebrating the passage of several bills that are aimed at giving working families relief.

The council is currently accepting applications for new members through April 30, 2025.

A recent statewide survey confirms that a vast majority of Hawai‘i residents support the implementation of paid family and medical leave and are even willing to pay their fair share to have this benefit.

Legislators identified five top priority issues impacting Hawaiʻi’s youth and families, including tax credits for household and dependent care services, funding for community schools, paid family leave, e-cigarette regulations, and universal free school breakfast and lunches. 

A public rally is planned this Friday at the Maui County Building to advocate for early childhood care and education. The event is hosted by the Hawaiʻi Children’s Action Network Speaks and the Hawaiʻi Early Childhood Advocacy Alliance. The March 22 event starts with keiki entertainment at 9:30 a.m., the rally at 10 a.m., and a march at 11 a.m.