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HR 136

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND BIOSECURITY TO COLLABORATE WITH STATE AND COUNTY AGENCIES AND COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS TO DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE STATEWIDE FOOD SECURITY STRATEGY.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Terez Amato and 7 co-sponsors

Hawaii requests its agriculture department coordinate with agencies and communities to develop a statewide food security strategy addressing the state's import dependency and food access challenges.

Reported from ECD (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1909-26) as amended in HD 2, recommending adoption.
#comprehensivestatewidefoodsecuritystrategy #foodinsecurity #foodproduction
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Bill Summary · HR 136

Legislative bill overview

HR 136 is a resolution requesting Hawaii's Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to work with state, county, and community organizations to create a comprehensive statewide food security strategy. The resolution has already been adopted as of April 9, 2026, and calls for coordinated planning across multiple government and community sectors.

Why is this important

Hawaii's geographic isolation and limited agricultural capacity make the state heavily dependent on imports for food, creating vulnerability to supply chain disruptions, price volatility, and food access inequities. A coordinated statewide strategy could identify gaps in local food production, distribution, and affordability while building resilience through increased self-sufficiency and emergency preparedness. This affects both everyday food affordability for residents and the state's long-term economic and security interests.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation responsibility and funding: The resolution requests collaborative action but doesn't mandate specific resources, timelines, or accountability mechanisms, potentially resulting in delayed or incomplete follow-through
  • Scope of agricultural feasibility: Hawaii's limited arable land and climate constraints may limit realistic food production goals; balancing ambition with practical capacity requires honest assessment
  • Economic tensions between local and imported food: Increasing local food production could raise consumer prices while affecting relationships with established agricultural importers and retailers who benefit from current supply chains

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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