Candidates: How would you address food insecurity?

This is the first of a series of conversations with candidates for elected office.

Dear Candidates:

Hawaii imports a staggering 85%-90% of the food we consume, which puts us at risk from natural disasters and other shipping disruptions, according to a 2008 Department of Agriculture study. This issue has taken on a new urgency in light of recent Land Use Commission decisions to allow the development of agricultural lands in ‘Ewa.

We’d like to know how you’d address Hawaii’s food insecurity. Is it an issue you’d work on? If so, how?

Candidates are welcome to respond in the discussion section below.