Hawaiʻi residents are facing rising costs on everything from gas to groceries. Hawaiʻi Foodbank CEO and President Amy Miller said more people are seeking food assistance — many for the first time — with demand now exceeding levels seen during the height of the pandemic.

Economist Paul Brewbaker said Hawaiʻi residents are spending 50% more on groceries compared to two years ago. He said a barrage of biological and policy shocks — like avian flu, the pandemic recovery, Maui wildfires, wars and tariffs — has pushed prices out of reach for many household budgets.

Hawaiʻi residents are facing rising costs on everything from gas to groceries.&nbsp;Hawaiʻi Foodbank CEO and President Amy Miller said more people are seeking food assistance &mdash; many for the first time &mdash; with demand now exceeding levels seen during the height of the pandemic.
Economist Paul Brewbaker said Hawaiʻi residents are spending 50% more on groceries compared to two years ago.&nbsp;He said a barrage of biological and policy shocks &mdash; like avian flu, the pandemic recovery, Maui wildfires, wars and tariffs &mdash; has pushed prices out of reach for many household budgets.

The podcast home of Hawaii's source for breaking news. Hawaii News Now is the state's leader for breaking news, weather alerts, traffic updates and sports headlines, plus the latest headlines on the issues that impact you and your families the most — including the global coronavirus pandemic.

The podcast home of Hawaii's source for breaking news. Hawaii News Now is the state's leader for breaking news, weather alerts, traffic updates and sports headlines, plus the latest headlines on the issues that impact you and your families the most &mdash; including the global coronavirus pandemic.

The podcast home of Hawaii's source for breaking news.