As students reel from the revelry of “Halloweekend,” this past Monday brought a rude awakening for many. While some students worry about catching up on the assignments they put off and studying for midterms, others enter the month uncertain whether they will be able to afford food and other basic needs after the Trump administration said that it will only provide half of the normal food stamp benefits for November, all while financial pressures from the ongoing government shutdown continue.
In Hawaiʻi and across the U.S., state and local level communities have been striving to make sure that the most vulnerable of their populations remain cared for. The state government, the UH community, and local communities have put forward various efforts.
According to a student basic needs survey released in 2025 which surveyed 2,704 students across all 10 UH campuses, students struggled to meet their basic needs even before the government shutdown. The survey found that 40% of students reported going hungry in the past year due to lack of money, while 60% of students experienced some form of food insecurity. The report noted that food insecurity, among other basic needs insecurities, “disrupt[s] student learning and disproportionately affect vulnerable populations including Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, African American, LGBTQIA+, parenting, and older students.”
Responding to how food insecurity may disrupt students’ learning, UH is providing students with a temporary grace period for registration, allowing them to register for Spring 2026 classes despite having an unpaid balance from the Fall 2025 semester. In a message to all campuses on Nov. 4, UH President Wendy Hensel wrote that “this grace period will allow students to stay on track academically while they work through temporary financial difficulties.”
One system in place at UH Mānoa to assist students facing food insecurity is the Food Vault Hawaiʻi (FVH). Located in Hemenway Hall 111 next to Ba Le, FVH partners with local non-profits and the on-campus food service provider Sodexo to provide free food to registered UH students.
The Basic Needs Café is another available resource for students at all UH campuses. The virtual café is open Sunday through Thursday from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. During operating hours, café assistants are available to assist students in locating and securing basic needs. Outside of café hours, students can reach out via email.
On a state level, Hawaiʻi Governor Josh Green announced a coordinated relief effort called the Hawaiʻi Relief Program last Wednesday. This program will operate alongside the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program with a separate application process.
The partial loss of SNAP benefits comes at a time when federal employees have already been missing pay due to the government shutdown. According to Hawaii News Now, many federal workers have had to turn to food banks for assistance. Needs are heightened, and various programs are providing emergency services in the first week of November to respond to these needs.
The Hawaiʻi Food Bank has added pop-up food distribution programs alongside regular assistance. Hawaiʻi Public Libraries have partnered with the State’s Kōkua Food Drive (part of Gov. Green’s coordinated relief efforts). Through Nov. 7, all public library branches except Kāne‘ohe and Wahiawā and Lāhainā will be accepting nonperishable food donations.
For those who want to contribute in the forms of food donations, monetary donations, or simply by giving their time, opportunities are available through these programs and others. Anyone can volunteer with, donate to, or fundraise for Hawaiʻi Food Bank with more information available on their website.
On campus, food and toiletry donations to Food Vault Hawaiʻi are being accepted at the Office of Student Life and Development in Campus Center 208, Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., except on holidays. More information about food donations and a link for monetary donations can be found on the FVH website.
