How is Hawaiʻi working to grow more of its own food and produce?

The Legislature has long tried to diversify agriculture, even though it remains only a small percentage of the GDP. While agriculture makes up less than 2% of the state’s GDP, legislators continue to push for diversification of the ag industry.

Hawaiʻi imports most of its food, which contributes to high prices and makes the population vulnerable to natural and manmade events that could cut off shipping. The state also is trying to bolster aquaculture with particular attention to seafood safety. In 2025, the Legislature tried to improve how the state deals with invasive species by giving the state agricultural department an added emphasis on biosecurity.

Quick Facts

Cash crops: Hawaiʻi is well-known for its Kona coffee, Mauna Loa macadamia nuts and cut and potted orchids, but the genetically modified seed industry — particularly corn — is the most lucrative ag crop.
King Sugar: The sugar cane industry dominated the state’s economy and landscape for over a century. But that ended in 2016 with the closure of the last sugar plantation on Maui
Catch of the day: Tuna is the top commercial fish in Hawaiʻi, with bigeye and yellowfin ahi the largest in terms of pounds landed — including 21 million pounds total in 2023.
Working on the farm: Total farm employment in 2022 was 11,581 people, whether as sole proprietor, partner or hired laborer. Just over half of those workers were on the Big Island.

Food and Agriculture Bills

In Focus

Here are the bills considered in the current session involving food and agriculture, including sustainability. Highlighted bills at the top are identified by Civil Beat as among the most significant this year. “In progress” status includes bills that may have been deferred but are technically still alive until the end of the two-year Legislature.

HB 534 Passed

RELATING TO LABELING REQUIREMENTS.

Tyson Miyake

Prohibits the sale of any raw processed ahi by retail establishments without a label that states the country where the ahi was landed. Effective 7/1/2026. (CD1)

HB 496 Passed

RELATING TO MĀMAKI TEA.

Kirstin Kahaloa

Prohibits the use of certain words and misleading Hawaiian imagery, place names, and motifs on the label of a consumer package that contains or includes tea or dried leaves from the plant Pipturus albidus, unless 100 percent of the tea or dried leaves were cultivated, harvested, and dried in the State. Appropriates funds for a Measurement Standards Inspector position. (CD1)

SB 1249 Passed

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Tim Richards

Establishes the temporary Agricultural Enforcement Pilot Program within the Department of Law Enforcement. Clarifies, creates, and strengthens laws regarding crimes and violations related to agriculture or agricultural lands. Establishes clear distinctions between administrative and criminal penalties. Establishes positions. Appropriates funds. (CD1)

HB 427 Passed

RELATING TO BIOSECURITY.

Nadine Nakamura

Part I: Renames the Department of Agriculture as the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity (Department) and the Board of Agriculture as the Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity. Part II: Establishes a Deputy Chairperson for Biosecurity. Part III: Authorizes and specifies conditions under which the Department may declare a biosecurity emergency, during which the Department and Governor may take certain actions to prevent the establishment or spread of pests and prohibited or restricted organisms. Broadens the objectives and general actions of the Biosecurity Program. Part IV: Authorizes the Department to establish transitional facilities. Requires the Department to certify and train biosecurity compliance auditors to inspect imported plants and animals. Requires inspection of various items transported interisland. Increases penalties for illegally transporting plants, animals, and microorganisms. Part V: Authorizes the Department to enter into government‑industry agreements for readiness and response to unwanted organisms in the State. Authorizes biosecurity and pest management plans to address, contain, or eradicate pests. Requires the Department to establish a pest dashboard by 12/1/2025. Part VI: Authorizes the Department to adopt rules to establish and enforce the Plant Care Component Program. Authorizes the Department to assess administrative penalties for the enforcement of the Plant Care Component Program. Part VII: Transfers the Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council from the Department of Land and Natural Resources to the Department. Part VIII: Appropriates funds. (CD1)

HB 2101

OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS PACKAGE; DLNR; BLNR; AQUATIC RESOURCES; FISHING REGULATIONS; COMMERCIAL AQUARIUM COLLECTION; SUSTAINABILITY; PROHIBITION

Committee: House Standing Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection

In Progress

OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS PACKAGE; DLNR; BLNR; AQUATIC RESOURCES; FISHING REGULATIONS; COMMERCIAL AQUARIUM COLLECTION; SUSTAINABILITY; PROHIBITIONCommittee: House Standing Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection

SB 2350

DAB; ADC; AQUACULTURE AND LIVESTOCK SUPPORT SERVICES BRANCH; AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT DIVISION; TRANSFER

Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture and Environment

In Progress

DAB; ADC; AQUACULTURE AND LIVESTOCK SUPPORT SERVICES BRANCH; AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT DIVISION; TRANSFERCommittee: Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture and Environment

HB 1736

SPAY AND NEUTER SPECIAL FUND; CAT STERILIZATION; COUNTIES; ANIMAL CONTROL; INCOME CHECK-OFF; APPROPRIATION