Revisiting Hawaiʻi’s Food Security Strategy: Building on the 2012 Office of Planning Reports

In 2012, the Hawaiʻi State Office of Planning, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, released a three-volume report:

• Increased Food Security and Food Self-Sufficiency Strategy 
• A History of Agriculture in Hawaii and Technical Reference Document 
• Assessment of Irrigation Systems in Hawaii

The reports were developed to strengthen coordination across state and county agencies and to guide policies that would increase the amount of locally produced food consumed in Hawaiʻi. More than a decade later, the ideas and data in those volumes remain relevant to the ongoing work of improving local food production, supporting farmers, and planning for resilience.

Volume I: Setting the Strategy 

Volume I, Increased Food Security and Food Self-Sufficiency Strategy, outlined a straightforward goal—to increase the share of locally grown food consumed by Hawaiʻi residents. The report estimated that replacing just 10 percent of imported food could retain $313 million in the state economy and create more than 2,000 jobs. 

Its three objectives remain as applicable today as they were then:

1. Increase Demand and Access – expand “Buy Local” programs, farmers’ markets, and farm-to-school initiatives; strengthen consumer confidence through food-safety certification and local branding. 
2. Increase Production – invest in irrigation and agricultural infrastructure, improve access to farmland through Act 90 (2003) transfers, and support regional food hubs and processing capacity.
3. Enhance Policy and Organizational Support – strengthen data collection, market analysis, and coordination among agencies to align investments and programs. 

What made this framework useful was its emphasis on systems thinking—recognizing that food security depends on coordinated action across land use, infrastructure, and economic policy. 

Volume II: Learning from Agricultural Transitions

Volume II traced Hawaiʻi’s shift from plantation agriculture to diversified farming. It documented how changes in land tenure, workforce capacity, pest management, and infrastructure investment influenced agricultural productivity. 

The analysis underscored a continuing truth: long-term food self-sufficiency depends on policy stability, public-private cooperation, and consistent investment in the physical and human resources that sustain farming. 

Volume III: Maintaining Critical Infrastructure 

The third volume, Assessment of Irrigation Systems in Hawaiʻi, compiled an inventory and condition assessment of eleven major irrigation systems statewide. Many were constructed between 1876 and 1920 and later acquired by the State. 

The report identified significant deferred maintenance—more than $111 million (in 2012 dollars) in needed rehabilitation—and demonstrated the broader economic importance of these systems. For example, the Waiahole and Wahiawā systems together supported thousands of jobs and contributed hundreds of millions of dollars in agricultural output. 

Given its scope, the report remains one of the most comprehensive evaluations of Hawaiʻi’s agricultural water infrastructure and a useful reference for current planning and budgeting. 

Progress Since 2012 

Many recommendations from the 2012 strategy have been advanced through subsequent work (this is not an exhaustive list): 

• Irrigation rehabilitation projects guided by the Agricultural Water Use and Development Plan and legislative appropriations.
• Continued Act 90 land transfers to expand access for active farmers. 
• Farm-to-school programs that connect local producers with public institutions. 
• Development of regional food hubs and small processing facilities. 
• Expansion of Important Agricultural Lands (IAL) designations by counties and the Land Use Commission. 

These efforts reflect the ongoing contributions of many partners—state and county agencies, farmers, nonprofits, and private organizations—each building on shared goals. 

Looking Ahead 

As climate change, global supply disruptions, and land-use pressures continue to challenge Hawaiʻi’s agricultural system, the 2012 strategy still offers a practical framework for moving forward. Its recommendations point toward three enduring needs:

1. Partnerships – among government, landowners, farmers, researchers, and educators to coordinate efforts. 
2. Resources – sustained funding for infrastructure, workforce development, and maintenance.  
3. Commitment – a long-term, collective focus on implementation rather than reinvention. 

Progress since 2012 shows what can be achieved when these elements align. Continuing that progress will require steady collaboration and shared responsibility.   

The Increased Food Security and Food Self-Sufficiency Strategy remains a useful reference for policymakers, planners, and community organizations working to strengthen Hawaiʻi’s food systems. Its enduring relevance lies in linking land, water, and people through coordinated planning.