Coming Together to Fight Hunger in Hawaii

For many people, the holiday season is a time for family to gather around a table, share gratitude and enjoy a delicious meal together. But for those facing food insecurity, this time of year can look very different. While abundance is celebrated, countless individuals and families continue to struggle to put food on the table.

Nearly one in three Hawaii households experience food insecurity. In 29% of Hawaii households with children, one or more keiki are food insecure. Many low-income families rely on the food bank to help bridge the gap between their income as Hawaii’s cost of living continues to rise.

One Saturday, I volunteered at a meal-packing event at the Hawaii Foodbank’s Oahu warehouse on Kilihau Street. It was my first time volunteering there, and I arrived early at 7:30 a.m. to find pallets of canned goods already being unloaded and volunteers preparing to sort and pack food boxes. Around 80 volunteers from different organizations came together that day. Within just a couple of hours, we packed more than four thousand food boxes — ready to be distributed to the community. It was an incredible team effort.

I will never forget the feeling I had when we finished. Volunteering at the Foodbank gave me a deeper understanding of its importance in our community, especially when so many households in Hawaii are struggling with hunger. The need is great, and the Hawaii Foodbank cannot meet it alone — they rely on all of us to help. As Ronald Reagan once said, “We can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone.”

Hawaiian Electric has been a long-standing supporter of Hawaii Foodbank through annual food drives, employee volunteerism, and financial contributions. Throughout the year, various departments within our Hawaiian Electric ohana donate their time to help pack food boxes at the Foodbank warehouse.

As Hawaii’s largest hunger-relief organization, Hawaii Foodbank partners with more than 225 agencies on Oahu and Kauai, along with affiliate food banks on Maui and Hawaii Island, to provide assistance statewide. These partner agencies serve their communities in many ways, including food pantries, homeless shelters, soup kitchens, domestic abuse shelters, rehabilitation centers, and more.

The Hawaii Foodbank receives food through monetary donations and food drives from individuals and community groups, as well as contributions from manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, farmers, and growers. Federal and state programs also provide food and funding. Above all, the Foodbank’s work is powered by hundreds of dedicated volunteers and staff.

As you gather with family and friends this season, take a moment to reflect on those facing hunger. Consider how you can help ease their burden — whether through donations, volunteering, or sharing the importance of food security with others.

Together, we can ensure that everyone has access to meals — not only during the holidays, but all year round.