2aHawaii
General Topics => Political Discussion => Topic started by: ren on September 22, 2026, 05:21:45 PM
-
https://www.kitv.com/news/politics/your-voice-your-vote-2026-charter-amendment-1-would-create-dedicated-food-security-fund-on/article_b2dd2cd0-af95-4af9-b5c2-2d3f4d8d6eeb.html
taking from property tax revenue to create a "food security fund" Hawaii FoodBank was one of the author. I heard that the Hawaii Foodbank is another "nonprofit" but has high paid "executives" (wink wink)
Why supporters say it's needed
Hawaii Foodbank President and CEO Amy Miller said about one in three households statewide is food insecure.
“About one in three households in Hawaii is food insecure, meaning there's not enough food in that household for everybody to live a healthy, active lifestyle,” Miller said.
Miller said that can mean families changing the quality of food they buy, skipping meals or going without food entirely.
She said the Foodbank was involved in developing the proposal.
“We were involved with the commission. We helped actually put forth this proposal,” Miller said.
Miller said the Foodbank sees the proposal as a way to make food security a more permanent part of the city's budget.
“By creating a fund that puts food insecurity, food security up there with housing and access to clean air, sorry, clean water and lands, climate resiliency, these are the things that are really important to us,” Miller said.
The Foodbank also points to the connection between food security and Hawaii's agricultural industry.
Miller said:
“The other piece that's exciting about this particular charter amendment is all of those dollars stay local. So it's all for local food. It will help improve our local food systems, our local farmers, our local businesses.”
The proposal is backed by a coalition of more than 60 organizations, according to Miller.
The impact of storms and emergencies
Supporters also said recent storms have highlighted the importance of having a reliable local food supply.
Miller said the Foodbank has seen demand increase after a series of weather and other disruptions.
“We had the Kona Lows, and then Lala, and now Lowell. And I will say, the need just continues to increase,” Miller said.
The city and Foodbank have worked together on emergency food response.
Most recently, the city provided $200,000 to help Hawaii Foodbank source and transport food for Oahu distributions following Tropical Cyclone Lala.
The city also recently helped raise more than 170,000 meals for the Foodbank through its annual food drive.