#supplemental nutrition assistance program

Gov. Josh Green will submit the Supplemental Budget for Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) to the Legislature today, outlining a responsible and forward-looking plan that invests in affordable housing, climate, infrastructure, healthcare, education, and core services for residents, while also preparing for anticipated federal changes.

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.

Benefits are expected to run out nationwide this weekend due to the ongoing government shutdown.

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.

The Hawaiʻi Department of Human Services is preparing families across the state for upcoming changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), effective Oct. 1, 2025.

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.

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.

Members of the Legislature’s Hawaiʻi Working Families Caucus on Monday were joined by community advocates to present their 2025 Legislative Package, which aims to protect workers’ rights and address priority issues for Hawaiʻi’s families.  

The Maui Food Bank, in partnership with the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Hawaiʻi Nutrition Center, offers healthy food demonstrations at Da Market in Lahaina by incorporating products that neighbors in the program can access at Da Market.

Maui Economic Opportunity’s Head Start preschool program, which offers comprehensive early childhood education at no cost to income-qualifying families, will begin accepting applications Feb. 1 for the 2025-2026 school year.  

Following calls for increased benefits for Hawai‘i families, US Sen. Brian Schatz today announced that the US Department of Agriculture has proposed updates to its Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits in Hawai‘i to ensure they accurately reflect the cost of food across the state. The USDA has proposed a 2.3% increase in SNAP benefits for Hawai‘i, which would result in an estimated $40 monthly increase for a family of four.