A line of cars stretched through the Aloha Stadium parking lot Thursday morning as more than 2,000 households pulled up for a drive-thru food distribution — the Hawai‘i Foodbank’s largest yet since the start of the
federal government
shutdown.
The event, one of several pop-up distributions planned statewide, aimed to support families, federal workers and SNAP recipients struggling as the
shutdown enters its record-breaking sixth week. Organizers said registration for the food distribution filled up within just a few hours after it went live.
Israel Whitney, 27, a Honolulu father of a 5-year-old, said SNAP benefits had previously helped sustain his family, but the shutdown has made life far more difficult. Though he’s still employed, he described the situation as frustrating and emotional, while expressing gratitude for the community support around him.
His mother, Christine Kaaiai, shared her
frustration: “I’m disappointed in the government, but thankful for everyone helping out during this hard time.”
Thursday’s food drive came as Hawaii faces “COVID-level peaks” of food insecurity, according to Amy Miller, president and CEO of Hawai‘i
Foodbank.
“I’m going to guess it’s about 35 to 40 pounds of food per household — canned goods, beans, produce, milk, eggs, bread, peanut butter — the foods families actually want to eat,” Miller said. “We planned for this possibility back in September, but it’s been hard to keep up with demand. The food is going out as fast as it comes in.”
The food bank began stockpiling supplies weeks before the shutdown, anticipating shipping delays from the mainland. Now, containers of nonperishables are arriving daily — and being distributed almost
immediately.
“What’s different this time,” Miller said, “is that the need goes beyond federal workers. Once we learned SNAP benefits weren’t being reloaded, a whole new group of families entered the crisis.”
Miller said Hawaii has roughly 24,000 federal civilian employees and 44,000 active-duty service members, along with many families who rely on federal nutrition assistance.
“Before this even began, almost half of young adults in Hawaii — ages 18 to 29 — were already food insecure,” she said. “This shutdown just makes things worse. For many, it’s OK to ask for help — that’s exactly why we’re here.”
Among the volunteers helping unload food Thursday was U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda (D, Hawaii), who called the situation “heartbreaking.”
“Here we have over 2,000 people in line. It’s heartbreaking to see so many in Hawaii going hungry because the president refuses to load those SNAP/EBT cards,” Tokuda said. “This is a cruel choice — to literally hold hungry people hostage.”
She criticized the administration’s refusal to act on a court order requiring SNAP funds to be distributed, saying the president has both the authority and the funds to do so.
“It’s not difficult. The money is there,” Tokuda said. “Quite frankly, we could have been done with this over a month ago if they had just sat down and said, ‘First priority is not politics. It’s people.’ Get the politics out of the room, put the people first, and I promise you, we’ll get the government open soon.”
Tokuda cautioned that the extended shutdown could discourage younger workers from pursuing federal careers. Now in its 37th day, the shutdown has officially become the longest in U.S. history.
Tokuda said she’s spoken with several young air traffic controller trainees who are struggling to make ends meet after the shutdown began before they even received their first paycheck. Many had relocated to Hawaii for training and now face rent payments without income or family support.
She expressed concern that the instability could push younger workers away from federal service altogether, warning that the
prolonged shutdown undermines confidence in government careers and risks driving talented employees to seek more stable jobs in the private sector.
“I’m very worried that the younger generation will look at federal work and say that it’s not stable employment,” she said. “We need to have a steady pipeline of public servants. We do have that, but with this shutdown, it does not bode confidence for them, and I’m afraid we’re going to lose some of our best and brightest to go find more stable employment in the private sector.”
Among those waiting in line was Brittney DeCosta, 30, a single mother of two and an Air Force reservist who also works part-time for Hawaiian Airlines.
“Because of the government shutdown, we’re not getting paid,” DeCosta said. “We still have to attend our drills and fulfill orders, but there’s no pay coming in — and my airline hours got cut too.”
The shutdown’s ripple effects reached the local airline industry this week. The Federal Aviation Administration directed U.S. carriers to cut 10% of flights at 40 airports nationwide due to air traffic controller shortages. Both Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines announced cancellations beginning today, with reassignment or refunds for affected
travelers.
“It’s been a struggle,” DeCosta said. “I’ve been going to food banks and trying to find resources for my kids. I just wish there was more support for military families — but it’s good to see the state stepping up.”
Gov. Josh Green on
Thursday announced that Hawaii residents receiving federal SNAP benefits will gain access to an extra $250 in emergency food assistance starting Sunday — four days earlier than planned.
The early rollout is part of the Hawaii Emergency Food Assistance Program, a state-funded effort launched after federal SNAP disbursements were halted Nov. 1 amid the government shutdown. Many recipients already see the $250 listed as a pending benefit.
Administered by the state Department of Human Services, HEFAP provides $250 per person in a SNAP household to help cover groceries and essentials — separate from, but distributed through, the SNAP EBT system. A family of four will receive $1,000 in aid.
State officials said the program was expedited from its original Nov. 14 release date to ensure families maintain access to food. Those
approved for November SNAP benefits as of Oct. 28 will automatically receive HEFAP funds, with no application required. Families not enrolled in SNAP can still apply through DHS.
“This is one place where we always say it, and truly mean it, lucky we live Hawaii,” Tokuda said. “From credit unions offering emergency loans to food distributions like this — you have a whole-of-community
response.”
Miller echoed that
sentiment.
“No one wants to see their neighbors go hungry. But we can’t do this forever. We need the federal government to reopen, and we need those SNAP cards loaded now,” she said.
