A Honolulu food security fund is on track for the November ballot after the Honolulu Charter Commission voted Tuesday to advance a proposal aimed at helping food-insecure Oʻahu residents access more locally produced food. The measure, submitted by Hawaiʻi Foodbank, would dedicate a share of existing property tax revenues to food programs without raising taxes.

According to the commission, the plan would channel $8 million annually into a new food security fund. The dollars would support programs that expand access to healthy, affordable foods grown, raised, or harvested in Hawaiʻi, as well as value-added products primarily derived from those foods.

Herman said the intent is to ensure city participation regardless of who holds office, so that every child, kūpuna, and household has enough to eat.

The food bank’s latest statewide hunger report, released in November 2025, found worsening indicators. On Oʻahu, about one in four residents lack consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life. Roughly two-thirds of that group, an estimated 165,000 people, experience very low food security and report skipping meals due to cost.

Honolulu food security fund would prioritize local food

The commission’s committee report acknowledged that special funds can constrain future budgets by committing general fund resources. On Tuesday, some commissioners highlighted that concern.

Commissioner Diane Kawauchi said shifting general fund money into special funds erodes the City Council’s budget authority. She and Commissioner Trey Gordner voted against the proposal. Still, the committee concluded that food insecurity is significant enough to merit a dedicated and sustained investment.

“By supporting efficient utilization of locally produced food, we connect supply with need. We strengthen our local food system.”

Sommerset Yamamoto, Honolulu Charter commissioner

Currently, Honolulu sets aside 1.5% of annual property tax revenue, or about $24 million, across three special funds: affordable housing, clean water and natural lands, and a climate resiliency fund approved by voters in 2024. The new proposal would raise that set-aside to 2% and split it equally among those three funds and the food security fund. Under that formula, the existing funds would continue to receive the same amounts they do now, with no tax increase.

As the measure evolved through testimony and commission debate, members strengthened language to focus on using locally produced food, which they noted does not always reach the marketplace, to address the food insecurity crisis. A narrow exception would allow up to 10% of the fund to be used for non-local food during declared emergencies.

The proposal now goes to another commission committee and to the City and County’s corporation counsel to finalize ballot wording, before returning to the commission for a final vote. Honolulu voters consider charter amendments every decade. Final recommendations for the November 2026 ballot are expected around mid-July so they can be sent to the City Clerk by mid-August.

Supporters of Proposal 119 praised the vote after nearly five months of presentations, research, and public testimony. If voters approve the charter change in November, the fund would make combating food insecurity a sustained city priority, said Elia Herman, the food bank’s director of advocacy.

Commission Vice Chair Sommerset Yamamoto grew emotional describing keiki too hungry to focus in school, saying the city’s approach has been reactive and inconsistent, driven by annual budget cycles. The Hawaiʻi Foodbank proposed the charter change to expand access to local food in Honolulu.

Currently, Honolulu sets aside dedicated property tax revenue for affordable housing, clean water and natural lands, and a climate resiliency fund approved by voters in 2024. A separate effort to build resilience in local agriculture and soil health has emerged through initiatives such as Makaliʻi Metrics soil lab blends science and ʻike Hawaiʻi.

The food bank’s latest statewide hunger report, released in November 2025, found worsening indicators that mirror concerns raised in statewide education and workforce discussions. Those concerns have also surfaced in policies like measures signed by Gov. Josh Green aimed at supporting vulnerable residents.

According to the commission, the plan would channel $8 million annually into a new food security fund managed by the City and County of Honolulu. Details of the implementation would be refined with input from Honolulu City Council budget deliberations and public testimony if the charter change passes.