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, 2025-2026.

HB 2208 In Progress

RELATING TO FOOD SECURITY.

Kirstin Kahaloa

Establishes and appropriates funds in the form of grants for the Hawaiʻi Farm to Families Program under the Department of Human Services to alleviate food shortages in the State. Requires reports to the Legislature before the Regular Sessions of 2027 and 2028. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

HB 1951 In Progress

RELATING TO BIOSECURITY.

Cory Chun

Requires the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience to establish a Center on Biosecurity Research, Education, and Extension to develop and implement innovative solutions for detecting, monitoring, eradicating, and managing invasive species. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

SB 2153 In Progress

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Tim Richards

Requires the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to convene a Bona Fide Farmer Working Group to develop multi-tiered, matrix-based definitions for the terms "bona fide farmer" and "bona fide agricultural activity". Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

SB 2800 In Progress

RELATING TO IRRIGATION SYSTEMS.

Donovan Dela Cruz

Appropriates funds to the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Department of Land and Natural Resources, and Agribusiness Development Corporation to acquire, repair, and maintain irrigation systems in the State. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

HB 1737

AGRICULTURE; AGRICULTURAL DISTRICTS; ZONING; FARM DWELLING; FARM EMPLOYEE HOUSING

Committee: House Standing Committee on Housing

In Progress

AGRICULTURE; AGRICULTURAL DISTRICTS; ZONING; FARM DWELLING; FARM EMPLOYEE HOUSINGCommittee: House Standing Committee on Housing

HB 2246

DAB; AGRICULTURAL GRANT PROGRAM; REVOLVING FUND; ANNUAL REPORT

Committee: House Standing Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems

In Progress

DAB; AGRICULTURAL GRANT PROGRAM; REVOLVING FUND; ANNUAL REPORTCommittee: House Standing Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems

HB 2475

ʻŌKOLEHAO; DISTILLED SPIRITS; LABELING REQUIREMENTS