#SNAP

US Sen. Mazie K. Hirono joined the Senate Democratic Caucus in introducing the “Restoring Food Security for American Families and Farmers Act of 2025.” The legislation would repeal cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

Maui Economic Opportunity offers an array of resources for Maui County residents dealing with the impacts of the federal government shutdown, changes to federal program requirements, 2023 wildfire recovery and general housing and utility crises and has been receiving numerous applications and inquiries about assistance programs.

As food insecurity and the impacts of federal funding reductions to essential programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) continue to affect local families, the Hawaiʻi House of Representatives is pleased to announce the release of funding for the Farm to Families initiative, a Legislature-funded program that enables local food banks to purchase, store, and distribute fresh, Hawaiʻi-grown produce to residents in need.

Hawaiʻi State Federal Credit Union announced that it will donate $50,000 to support local food banks and pantries as families across the state face growing food insecurity caused by the ongoing federal government shutdown and the reduction of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits.

Gov. Josh Green and the Hawaiʻi Department of Human Services have announced that SNAP recipients should be able to spend the additional $250 in relief funds beginning Nov. 10, four full days earlier than anticipated. Recipients should be able to see the extra $250 in their accounts now, as a pending benefit.

Food boxes, donated meals and loan payment pauses have been geared toward helping folks afford over a month’s worth of lost paychecks and food stamps.

In response to the ongoing federal shutdown and disruptions to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the State of Hawaiʻi has launched the Kōkua Food Drive, a weeklong food collection campaign beginning today in partnership with the Hawaiʻi State Public Library System to support food banks across the islands.

Hawai’i Gov. Josh Green also announced state funding to help needy families with utilities and housing for the next few months.

Concerned about families facing food insecurity because of the federal government shutdown, Hale Kau Kau invites those in need to get free evening meals at St. Theresa Church at 25 West Lipoa St. in Kīhei.

Maui County’s food assistance system faces a crippling double crisis starting Nov. 1: federal budget gridlock will halt monthly SNAP payments for more than 18,600 residents, even as the state is forced to implement a new set of strict federal work and eligibility rules. The immediate response is Gov. Josh Green’s emergency Hawaiʻi Relief Program, launched Wednesday to provide temporary housing and utility assistance.

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees met during an emergency session on Monday and directed the administration to work out details of the benefits program, including determining eligibility requirements and potential partnerships.

The Food and Nutrition Service notified states Friday that all November SNAP benefit allotments are suspended until sufficient federal funding is appropriated or the agency issues updated direction. 

Under the new federal law, those affected must complete an average of 80 hours per month (20 hours per week) in qualifying work or training activity. Acceptable activities include paid or self-employment, volunteer service with a government or nonprofit organization, or participation in job training programs such as SNAP Employment and Training, or services at American Job Centers.

The long-anticipated Lānaʻi Farmers Market – a collaboration among County of Maui and nonprofit partners – will kick off this Saturday from 7 a.m. to noon at Lāna‘i Entry Park (next to the fire station) and continue every first Saturday of the month.

Hawaiʻi Foodbank will hold its largest fundraising event of the year, Food Drive Day, on Aug. 2. Members of the community are encouraged to make a donation to the campaign or hold their own food and fund drives to support local families amid shifting economic conditions and widespread funding cuts to food banks and safety […]

SUN Bucks is a new and permanent program that provides $177 per eligible child in food benefits to help families during the summer months when access to school meals is limited.

After a marathon 14-hour markup in the House Agriculture Committee, US Rep. Jill Tokuda (HI-02) voted against the Republicans’ reconciliation bill that she said would cut over $300 billion in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits.

The UHERO second quarter forecast for 2025 reports: “sharp increases in US import tariffs, sweeping federal layoffs, and volatile fiscal and immigration policies are undermining consumer confidence, raising inflation expectations, and worsening the business outlook—both nationally and in Hawaiʻi’s visitor-dependent economy.”

Maui Economic Opportunity’s Head Start preschool program, which offers comprehensive early childhood education at no cost to income-qualifying families, continues to accept children for the 2025-2026 school year, which begins in August.

State Sen. Angus McKelvey and US Rep. Jill Tokuda are rebuking the administration of President Donald Trump for the loss of thousands of federal jobs as part of an effort to shrink government bureaucracy.