By Lynn Kawano
Hawaii News Now: Published: Jun. 9, 2025 at 4:16 PM HST
HILO (HawaiiNewsNow) - Hawaii Island has the highest rate of food insecurity in the state, according to a recent survey.
Fifty percent of the Food Basket’s overall budget comes from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and looming federal budget rollbacks could have devastating impacts to the island’s food bank.
The agency provides meals for 60,000 people every month, according to the agency managers.
The total population of the county is 205,000, so more than a quarter of the island depends on it.
Milton Rabisa, 91, is a retired bus driver who said his rent has gone up significantly in recent years and struggles to find money to eat.
“I’m here, once a week so it helps,” he said.
Rabisa’s friend, Tim Rees, brings him to the Holomua Street location.
“He needs it, absolutely,” Rees said.
Without the distribution plus deliveries from Meals on Wheels, Rabisa wouldn’t have food on the table.
Food Basket officials are worried about their ability to meet the growing community needs.
“We are trying to diversify our fundraising as well as grant writing,” said Duryn Izumo, managing director of the Food Basket, which is the only food bank on island.
But Sarah Hamakawa, director of grants and events, fears that won’t be enough to supplement the budget.
“They’re relying on us maybe once a month, even sometimes more often,” she said.
The Food Basket has already seen a reduction in fresh and non-perishable gifts from their federal partners.
“We’re getting a lot of frozen items whereas before we used to get a lot more canned protein,” Hamakawa said.
That makes it harder to give to families who don’t have access to a refrigerator.
“This federal support is very, very needed,” said state Sen. Tim Richards, who represents North Hilo, Hamakua, Kohala, Waimea, Waikoloa, and North Kona.
Hamakawa said they have noticed that many clients who previously only used the food basket in emergencies have now become regulars.
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