Registration For 12 Community Distribution Sites Open Across Hawaiʻi Island Through Aloha In Action Response

Registration For 12 Community Distribution Sites Open Across Hawaiʻi Island Through Aloha In Action Response

Hawaiʻi Island – With the temporary pause of SNAP benefits beginning November 1 and the ongoing federal government shutdown creating uncertainty for local families, communities across Hawaiʻi Island are moving quickly to meet the urgent needs of their neighbors.

Through Aloha In Action, Vibrant Hawaiʻi’s islandwide emergency response effort, 12 community food distribution sites are being activated to ensure residents continue to have access to essential food resources.

With generous support from friends and neighbors in the Kūkiʻo, Kohala Coast, and Waimea communities, along with many others across the island, state, and nation, early efforts will focus on underserved areas where families may feel the greatest impact of this disruption, including North Hawaiʻi, the Hāmākua Coast, and Puna Mauka. Each distribution will include locally sourced produce, proteins, and shelf-stable food, supporting an estimated 1,800 residents during the first three weeks of November.

For residents in other areas of the island, The Hawaiʻi Island Food Basket will conduct ʻOhana Food Drops in Hilo, Pāhoa, Nāʻālehu, Kona, and Waimea. For more information, visit www.hawaiifoodbasket.org.

Registration for the Vibrant Hawaiʻi Aloha In Action distribution opens Thursday, October 30 at 4:00 PM. For registration details, please visit vibranthawaii.org/alohainaction. This project prioritizes households whose SNAP benefits have been paused and federal employees impacted by the government shutdown. Proof of eligibility is required.

Distribution Site Physical Location Distribution Days
Puna Mākaukau Fern Acres 11-3602 Lehua Street, Mountain View,
96771
Wednesdays
Fern Forest Association 11-2864 Ala Kapena St. Mountain View,
96771
Wednesdays
Hawaiian Acres Resilience
Hub
16-1325 Moho Rd. Kurtistown, 96760 Wednesdays
Sure Foundation Church 16-1592 Pohaku Circle, Keaʻau 96749 Wednesdays
Puna Hongwanji 16-492 Old Volcano Rd, Keaʻau 96749 Wednesdays
St Augustine’s Episcopal
Church
54-3801 Akoni Pule Highway, Kapaʻau
96755
Thursdays
Kailapa Community Pavilion 61-4016 Kai Opae Pl. Waimea, 96743 Thursdays
Kaiāulu O Waikoloa 68-1850 Pua Melia St. Waikoloa 96738 Thursdays
Honokaʻa Community
Complex
45-541 Lehua St. Honokaʻa 96727 Fridays
Laupāhoehoe Church 36-106 Puʻualaea Homestead Road,
Laupāhoehoe 96764
Fridays
Onomea Farm Hub 28-1099 Old Mamalahoa Hwy, Pepeʻekeo
96783
Fridays
Pāpaʻikou Gym (Frank M.
Santos Park Pavilion)
27-228 Maluna Place, Pāpaʻikou 96781 Fridays

Fresh produce and canned good donations are welcome at each distribution site. Visit vibranthawaii.org/alohainaction to see when your local site is accepting donations. Canned goods can also be dropped off at American Savings Bank branches in Hilo, Waimea, and Kailua-Kona to support islandwide distribution efforts.

While coordination is underway, this response depends on community kōkua. Donations are urgently needed to sustain efforts and ensure support reaches those most affected. Every contribution helps.