Counties with the highest rate of food insecurity in Hawaii
Every county in the United States is home to people experiencing food insecurity, defined by the nonprofit Feeding America as "a lack of consistent access to enough food for every person in a household to live an active, healthy life."
The USDA estimates that 89.5% of U.S. households were food secure throughout 2019—that's 116.0 million people. The COVID-19 pandemic put further strain on households already experiencing food hardship, with Feeding America estimating that 42 million people, or 1 in 8 Americans, may experience food insecurity in 2021. This is a slight improvement from 2020 numbers but still represents an enormous burden for millions of children and adults.
Stacker compiled a list of counties in Hawaii with the highest rate of food insecurity using data from Feeding America. Counties are ranked by highest percent of population with food insecurity as of 2019.
#5. Kauai County
- Food insecurity rate: 9.8% (7,000 total)
--- 10.1% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 15.5% (2,450 total)
--- 6.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $4,243,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.55
#4. Maui County
- Food insecurity rate: 10.3% (17,090 total)
--- 5.5% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.0% (5,810 total)
--- 9.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $11,677,000
--- Cost per meal: $4.00
#3. Honolulu County
- Food insecurity rate: 10.5% (103,120 total)
--- 3.7% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.1% (33,710 total)
--- 10.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $64,291,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.65
#2. Hawaii County
- Food insecurity rate: 13.1% (26,200 total)
--- 20.2% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 22.2% (9,600 total)
--- 52.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $17,377,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.88
#1. Kalawao County
- Food insecurity rate: 19.9% (10 total)
--- 82.6% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 20.4% (total not available)
--- 39.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $6,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.73
