The state will provide $250 in November for each of Hawaii’s 161,400 island residents whose SNAP benefits will no longer be federally funded Saturday because of the ongoing government shutdown.
A family of three, for example, will receive $750 on their Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards by at least Nov. 14, Gov. Josh Green announced at the state Capitol on Thursday.
The state money falls short of the typical monthly federal SNAP spending of $346 per person a month.
“Yes, it’s not the full amount,” said Joseph Campos, deputy director of the state Department of Human Services. “This is not the SNAP benefit.”
But the new state funding of $42.2 million leads Green to hope that the $250 each for SNAP recipients for November means “this should be enough to pay for groceries for the month.”
“We recognize it’s not a one-size-fits all” solution, Green said.
The governor said he continues to look for alternatives — such as possible donors — to fill the SNAP funding gap if the shutdown drags into December.
Green’s announcement comes as Hawaii has joined a hui of other state attorneys general and governors in seeking a temporary restraining order against the Trump administration’s opposition to using $5.5 billion in Congressional funding that was budgeted to be used to keep SNAP benefits flowing during a fiscal emergency.
Asked about the prospects of Hawaii’s legal challenge, Green said Thursday that, “I have a lot of faith in Attorney General (Anne) Lopez. We’re just trying to represent what our values are and keep them intact.”
If the federal government does not fund November’s SNAP benefits, Green said that “we will be seeking reimbursement from the federal government for any resources we end up paying.”
Going into the holiday season, into the new year and ahead of the next legislative session that begins in January, Green also said, “I hope to God we’re not in a shutdown come 2026 because that will change everything for us.”
Whatever happens, Green said “we’ll do all we can to help people in Hawaii” — including grocery stores where SNAP recipients buy food.
“We’re not going to let anyone suffer,” Green said.
The cost to the state for providing SNAP beneficiaries for November adds up to $42.2 million that will now be spent in local grocery stores at a time when Hawaii has been forecast to move into a “mild recession” in 2026.
Green also highlighted other efforts previously announced this week by the state, including $2 million in funding for the Hawaii Foodbank aimed at helping needy families across the islands who are already overwhelmed with people lining up for food, including federal employees working without paychecks.
Today marks the 31st day of the federal shutdown.
The longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history lasted 35 days, between December 2018 and January 2019, during President Donald Trump’s first term when Congressional Democrats opposed his planned border wall with Mexico.
This time, Hawaii is also releasing $500,000 for the Farm to Families program that was driven by the state’s House Democratic caucus last session to purchase locally produced food, which also helps Hawaii farmers provide fresh food.
In a statement following his announcement of state funding for SNAP recipients, Green said, “These are challenging times for working families across Hawaii. No one should go hungry or lose stability because of gridlock in Washington. When federal support is paused, Hawaii stands up. We take care of one another and act with urgency and aloha to protect our people.”
Other efforts announced this week include the new Hawaii Relief Program that was first reported in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. It will provide $100 million in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families funding to provide up to four months of housing and utility assistance for families with children.
The state Department of Education also confirmed Thursday that an estimated 39,000 school students who are certified for free meals through SNAP or TANF will continue to receive free breakfast and lunch for the entire school year.
Green’s office encouraged new families applying for SNAP benefits or reduced income to apply for subsidized school meals.
Act 310 also will provide $50 million in grants to help nonprofits provide services after Trump began slashing federal funding for nonprofits across the country in January.
Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke also announced at Thursday’s Capitol press conference that her office will be coordinating a food drive of canned goods and nonperishable foods at the Capitol and state libraries across the state beginning Monday morning.
“We hear everyday about the struggles of individuals who are not getting their pay checks,” Luke said. “We have to respond right now.”
Source: The Garden Island
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