It’s shocking to learn that 1 in 6 children in Hawaii — 54,650 keiki — struggle with hunger.

The sad statistic comes from a 2016 study by Feeding America, a national nonprofit network of food banks that serves tens of millions of people each year.

In total, the study says 168,030 people go hungry in Hawaii, or 1 in 8 people.

The reason is financial.

Cory Lum/Civil Beat

Legislation moving at the Hawaii Legislature could go a long way toward alleviating hunger. Senate Bill 390 would provide a state dollar-for-dollar match for local folks receiving federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to purchase Hawaii-grown produce.

SNAP, which used to be known as food stamps, provides temporary help to buy food. In Hawaii, almost 170,000 residents receive monthly benefits. And 35 percent of households receiving SNAP benefits have children.

SB 390 takes advantage of the national Double Up Food Bucks program, which incentivizes use of SNAP funds to purchase fruit and vegetables. It’s already in place at markets in Waianae and Kalihi on Oahu, and around the Big Island including at KTA Super Stores.

The dollar-for-dollar match can allow for as much as a $20 coupon or voucher per visit per day. It essentially doubles a participant’s purchasing power as well as doubling revenue for grocers and farmers.

“The Legislature finds that consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables is an integral part of a healthy diet and central to the prevention of obesity and chronic disease,” the bill states. “The Legislature also finds that every community should have access to fresh and healthy dietary options, but the high cost of fresh produce often makes that difficult.”

This bill is a common-sense, compassionate measure. SB 390 is so popular that it has received no testimony in opposition but tons of support from state and county officials, social justice groups, farmers, health advocates and more.

“We strongly support this bill,” testified Kristin Frost Albrecht, executive director of the food bank on Hawaii Island. “The Food Basket has been pioneering dollar for dollar matching programs for locally grown produce on the Big Island since 2014. We deeply believe the passage of this bill will provide much needed food cost relief for low income families and access to locally grown fresh vegetables and fruit that they otherwise couldn’t afford.”

In spite of its popularity, anything can happen to weaken or kill legislation, especially ones requiring money. The dollar figure remains blank in SB 390, which now awaits a hearing in the House Finance Committee.

It’s unacceptable that so many children and families are going hungry in our state. This is a good use of our public money and the Legislature shouldn’t hesitate to pass it on to Gov. David Ige.