Urging The Governor To Assess Food Insecurity Conditions And Implement A Statewide Food Security Response Plan.
HCR117 is a House Concurrent Resolution urging the Governor to assess food insecurity conditions in Hawaii and develop a statewide food security response plan. The resolution frames food insecurity as a serious statewide issue tied to Hawaii’s geographic isolation, dependence on imported food and fuel, high living costs, and vulnerability to supply chain disruptions and emergencies. It calls for a comprehensive, data-driven assessment of food access, preparedness, and resilience across the state’s food system.
The resolution asks the Governor to consider whether conditions justify declaring a food security emergency under chapter 127A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, and to coordinate a multi-agency response involving the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Department of Human Services, Department of Health, the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, and the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency. It also directs attention to short-term actions to improve food access in high-need communities and to identifying regulatory barriers that limit local food production. The Governor is requested to report back to the Legislature before the 2027 Regular Session with findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation.
Because HCR117 is a concurrent resolution, it does not itself amend statutes or create enforceable legal duties. Its practical effect is to formally request executive branch action, interagency coordination, and a legislative report on food insecurity and food system resilience. The resolution specifically references chapter 127A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, by urging evaluation of whether a food security emergency declaration is warranted, but it does not declare such an emergency or change the law directly. Its impact is therefore advisory and agenda-setting, with potential to lead to future administrative actions or legislation.
The available record suggests generally favorable sentiment. The resolution passed the Senate Agriculture and Environment committee unanimously and unamended, indicating support for the bill’s goals and framing. The bill’s findings emphasize widely recognized concerns about food costs, supply vulnerability, and the need for coordinated state action, which likely contributed to the positive reception. No committee transcript is available, and no recorded opposition appears in the provided history.
The main points of possible contention are not about whether food insecurity is a concern, but about the scope and mechanics of the response. The resolution asks the Governor to evaluate a food security emergency declaration, coordinate multiple agencies, and identify regulatory barriers to local food production, which could raise questions about executive authority, resource allocation, and regulatory changes. Any debate would likely center on how aggressive the response should be, whether emergency powers are appropriate, and what reforms are needed to expand local production and improve access in high-need communities.