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Some keiki might be missing out on food aid

Hawaii's Keiki at Risk: Thousands Missing Out on Vital Summer Food Aid

In the sun-drenched islands of Hawaii, where the cost of living soars higher than the palm trees, a quiet crisis is unfolding among the state's youngest residents. Thousands of keiki—Hawaiian for children—are potentially missing out on crucial food assistance programs designed to bridge the gap during the summer months when school meals vanish. As families grapple with skyrocketing grocery prices and economic pressures unique to island life, advocates and officials are sounding the alarm: without greater awareness and participation, Hawaii's children could face heightened food insecurity, exacerbating long-term health and educational challenges.

The issue centers on the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) program, often referred to as SUN Bucks in Hawaii, a federal initiative aimed at providing nutritional support to low-income families with school-aged children during the summer break. This program, which debuted nationally in 2024 as a permanent fixture following successful pilots, offers eligible households $120 per child for the summer period—funds that can be used to purchase groceries at authorized retailers. In Hawaii, where the program is administered by the state's Department of Human Services (DHS), the benefits are loaded onto EBT cards, similar to those used for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

Yet, despite the program's potential to feed an estimated 100,000 eligible keiki across the islands, participation rates are alarmingly low. Preliminary data from DHS indicates that only about 60% of qualifying families have enrolled or been automatically approved as of mid-summer. This leaves tens of thousands of children without the extra support, at a time when food costs in Hawaii are among the highest in the nation—often 30% to 50% more expensive than on the mainland due to shipping and import dependencies. For many families, especially in rural areas of the Big Island or on neighbor islands like Kauai and Maui, this gap means skipping meals or relying on less nutritious options.

Why the shortfall? Experts point to a confluence of factors. First, there's a lack of widespread awareness. Unlike school-year programs that integrate seamlessly with daily routines, summer aid requires proactive steps—such as applying online or verifying eligibility—which can be daunting for busy parents or those without reliable internet access. In Hawaii's diverse communities, language barriers play a role too; many families speak Hawaiian Pidgin, Tagalog, or other languages, and outreach materials haven't always been adequately translated.

Transportation and geography add another layer of complexity. Hawaii's archipelago layout means that not every community has easy access to enrollment centers or even grocery stores that accept EBT. On Molokai, for instance, residents might have to travel by boat or plane to reach larger hubs, turning a simple application process into a logistical nightmare. Stigma also lingers: some parents hesitate to seek aid, viewing it as a handout rather than a rightful resource, especially in tight-knit island communities where pride and self-reliance are cultural cornerstones.

The consequences of this missed opportunity are profound. Food insecurity doesn't just mean empty stomachs; it ripples into every aspect of a child's life. Studies from organizations like Feeding America show that children without consistent nutrition during summer breaks return to school with diminished focus, lower academic performance, and higher rates of behavioral issues. In Hawaii, where childhood obesity and diabetes rates already exceed national averages—partly due to reliance on processed, affordable foods—the lack of fresh produce and healthy options funded by programs like SUN Bucks could worsen these trends. Mental health suffers too; hungry kids experience higher anxiety and depression, compounding the isolation felt in remote island settings.

Take the story of the Kahale family from Hilo on the Big Island. Maria Kahale, a single mother of three, shared her experience anonymously through a local food bank. "We barely make ends meet with my job at the hotel," she said. "School lunches were a lifesaver, but summer? It's tough. I heard about this EBT thing late, and by the time I tried to apply, the deadline had passed. Now, we're stretching canned goods and hoping for the best." Stories like Maria's are echoed across the state, from urban Honolulu to the agricultural valleys of Oahu's North Shore.

State officials are not standing idle. Cathy Betts, director of the Hawaii DHS, emphasized in a recent press briefing that efforts are underway to boost enrollment. "We're partnering with schools, community centers, and even churches to spread the word," Betts explained. "Automatic enrollment for families already on SNAP or free school lunch programs has helped, but we need more grassroots involvement." Indeed, Hawaii has implemented innovative outreach, including mobile enrollment vans that visit beaches and parks during summer events, and collaborations with Native Hawaiian organizations to tailor messages to cultural contexts.

Nonprofits are stepping up as well. The Hawaii Foodbank, which serves over 200,000 people annually, has launched campaigns to educate families about SUN Bucks. "This isn't just about food; it's about equity," said Amy Marvin, the organization's president. "In a state where one in five children lives in poverty, programs like this are lifelines. But if families don't know or can't access them, we're failing our keiki." Marvin highlighted successful models from other states, like California's streamlined online portals, suggesting Hawaii could adopt similar tech-forward approaches to overcome geographic barriers.

Looking nationally, Hawaii's challenges mirror broader trends but with island-specific twists. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which funds SUN Bucks, reports that while 35 states participated in the program's inaugural year, enrollment varies widely. States with robust school nutrition infrastructures, like New York, boast higher uptake, while rural or isolated areas lag. In Hawaii, the program's success is tied to the state's high cost of living—median household income hovers around $88,000, yet poverty thresholds are adjusted upward due to expenses, meaning more families qualify than might in cheaper locales.

Advocates argue for systemic changes to prevent future shortfalls. Proposals include year-round automatic enrollment tied to school records, expanded eligibility to include more middle-income families strained by inflation, and increased funding for on-the-ground support like community navigators who assist with applications. There's also a push for integrating cultural education into outreach, recognizing Hawaii's unique blend of Native Hawaiian, Asian, and Pacific Islander heritages. "Food security is a matter of justice," said Dr. Kealoha Fox, a public health expert at the University of Hawaii. "For indigenous communities, access to nutritious food ties back to land sovereignty and traditional practices. Missing out on aid perpetuates historical inequities."

As summer winds down and keiki prepare to return to classrooms, the urgency grows. Without intervention, the cycle of food insecurity could deepen, affecting not just individual families but the fabric of Hawaiian society. Parents, educators, and policymakers are calling for collective action—urging eligible families to check their status via the DHS website or hotlines, and encouraging community leaders to amplify the message. In a place where "ohana" (family) is everything, ensuring no child goes hungry should be a shared priority.

The path forward requires more than good intentions; it demands investment in infrastructure, education, and empathy. By addressing the barriers head-on, Hawaii can transform SUN Bucks from an underutilized resource into a robust safety net, nourishing its keiki and fostering a healthier, more resilient future for all. As one advocate put it, "Our children are the heart of these islands. Let's make sure they're fed, body and soul."

This situation underscores a larger truth: in paradise, paradise isn't guaranteed for everyone. With concerted effort, however, Hawaii can lead the way in innovative, compassionate solutions to food aid, setting an example for the nation. Families interested in applying or learning more can visit the state's DHS portal or contact local food banks for guidance—because every keiki deserves a full plate and a bright tomorrow.

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