Hawaii House Bill HR109

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/16/26
• Refer: 3/18/26
• Report Pass: 4/1/26
• Refer: 4/1/26
• Report Pass: 4/9/26
• Passed: 4/9/26

Caption

Urging The Governor To Assess Food Insecurity Conditions And Implement A Statewide Food Security Response Plan.

Summary

H.R. 109 is a House Resolution urging the Governor of Hawaii to assess food insecurity conditions statewide and to implement a coordinated food security response plan. The resolution is grounded in findings that Hawaii’s geographic isolation, dependence on imported food and fuel, and exposure to supply chain disruptions contribute to high food costs and increased risk of food insecurity, especially for low- and moderate-income households. The resolution calls for a comprehensive, data-driven assessment of food insecurity and food system resilience, with attention to gaps in access, preparedness, and local production. It specifically encourages the Governor to consider whether conditions warrant declaring a food security emergency under chapter 127A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, and to direct relevant agencies to coordinate food stabilization efforts, identify short-term access measures for high-need communities, and examine regulatory barriers to expanding local food production. It also requests a report to the Legislature by twenty days before the 2027 Regular Session, including findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation.

Impact

Because H.R. 109 is a resolution rather than a bill, it does not directly amend Hawaii statutes or create enforceable legal requirements. Its practical effect is to formally request executive action, interagency coordination, and legislative reporting on food insecurity and food system resilience. The resolution references chapter 127A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, which governs emergency management, and asks the Governor to evaluate whether a food security emergency declaration may be appropriate under that chapter.

Sentiment

The overall sentiment reflected in the resolution is strongly supportive of proactive government action to address food insecurity. The framing emphasizes urgency, coordination, and resilience, suggesting broad concern about the cost and availability of food in Hawaii. No committee testimony or recorded votes are provided, so there is no evidence of opposition or divided sentiment in the available materials.

Contention

The main policy questions raised by the resolution are whether food insecurity conditions are severe enough to justify an emergency declaration under chapter 127A, what short-term interventions would be most effective, and how to reduce regulatory barriers to local food production. Potential points of contention could include the scope of executive authority, the costs of a statewide response plan, and how aggressively the state should intervene in food markets and agricultural regulation. However, no specific objections or opposing viewpoints are included in the available record.