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HCR 144

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 agricultural agencies coordinate with local governments and nonprofits to develop a statewide food security plan addressing the state's heavy import dependence.

The committee(s) on GVO/AEN has scheduled a public hearing on 04-16-26 3:00PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.
#comprehensivestatewidefoodsecuritystrategy #foodinsecurity #foodproduction
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Bill Summary · HCR 144

Legislative bill overview

HCR 144 requests Hawaii's Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to coordinate with state agencies, county governments, and community organizations to develop a comprehensive statewide food security strategy. This is a concurrent resolution—a legislative request rather than a binding law—that calls for collaborative planning to address food system vulnerabilities across the state.

Why is this important

Hawaii imports approximately 85-90% of its food supply, making it highly vulnerable to supply chain disruptions, natural disasters, and price volatility. A coordinated statewide food security strategy could identify gaps in local production capacity, improve emergency preparedness, and potentially reduce dependence on imports while supporting local agriculture and food businesses.

Potential points of contention

  • Non-binding nature: As a concurrent resolution, this creates no mandatory obligation or funding requirement, meaning implementation depends entirely on agency willingness and existing budgets
  • Scope and feasibility: Developing a truly "comprehensive" strategy across multiple agencies and counties with different priorities and resources may face coordination challenges and produce limited results
  • Cost implications: While not explicitly funded, actual strategy implementation could require substantial public investment in infrastructure, agricultural incentives, or food system development that would require separate appropriations

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

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