Food Systems Digest
Welcome to the October edition of Food Systems Digest. As HAPA’s Pesticides and Public Health Campaign Director, I’m honored to share this monthly roundup of news, research, and community stories that shape Hawaiʻi’s food future.
We know Hawaiʻi’s food system is at a crossroads, facing urgent challenges like food insecurity, invasive species, climate pressures, and pesticide impacts, while also seeing inspiring solutions rooted in culture, community, and agroecology. This digest is meant as a service: to keep us connected to the latest updates, to highlight the links between local, national, and global struggles, and to uplift the grassroots leadership driving change.
Mahalo for staying engaged in this work. Together, through shared knowledge and action, we can build a healthier, more just, and resilient food system for Hawaiʻi.
Hawaiʻi Food Systems News
Hawaiʻi Is Facing A Food Crisis. Can A State Plan Finally Help?, Civil Beat
Hawaiʻi is experiencing a worsening food crisis, with one in three residents food insecure and dependence on imports making the islands vulnerable to supply chain shocks. The state’s Department of Agriculture has released a long-awaited food system plan, outlining strategies like boosting local production, expanding food access, and supporting small farmers. However, critics worry the plan lacks enforceable targets and adequate funding. Advocates stress that without bold action, Hawaiʻi risks continued hunger, economic instability for farmers, and deepening inequities for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities.
12 Years In: How Hawaiʻi is Still Working to Curb the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle, Overstory
The invasive coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB) continues to spread across Oʻahu and Kauaʻi threatening native palms and food crops. First detected in 2013, the beetle bores into trees, weakening and eventually killing them. Recent reports confirm infestations in new areas, raising alarms for food security and biodiversity. Kauaʻi's east side is being hit hard and action is urgently needed. Experts call for increased community engagement, rapid-response funding, and better sanitation practices to contain the pest. Left unchecked, CRB could devastate local agriculture and cultural landscapes tied to coconut trees.
USDA Cancels $30 Million to Boost Hawaiʻi Food Production, Civil Beat
The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently canceled $30 million in federal funds intended to support Hawaiʻi’s food production and food security programs. The funding loss jeopardizes dozens of community-based projects focused on local farming, climate resilience, and Native Hawaiian food traditions. Advocates warn the cuts will widen food insecurity, strain farmers already facing high costs, and stall progress toward the state’s goal of doubling local food production. Calls are growing for state lawmakers to replace the funds and ensure long-term stability in Hawaiʻi’s food system.
Westside Students Learn Life and Cultural Lessons Through Aquaculture, Civil Beat (Photo Essay)
On Kauaʻi’s west side, students are reconnecting with Hawaiian culture and food systems through hands-on aquaculture projects. Working in loko iʻa (traditional Hawaiian fishponds) and taro fields, students learn stewardship, teamwork, and sustainability practices rooted in ancestral knowledge. Educators emphasize that these cultural lessons extend beyond farming, building resilience and identity in younger generations. The programs highlight how place-based education can strengthen food sovereignty while inspiring the next generation of community leaders.
U.S. Context
USDA Drops Rules Requiring Farmers To Record Toxic Pesticide Use, Civil Eats
The USDA recently withdrew a proposed rule that would have required farmers to track and report their use of the most toxic pesticides, including paraquat and dicamba. Farmworker advocates say the decision puts workers and nearby communities at greater risk, as recordkeeping is critical for monitoring exposure and ensuring accountability. The rollback benefits large agribusinesses, critics argue, while undermining public health protections and environmental safeguards. Advocates urge renewed pressure on policymakers to reinstate stronger pesticide regulations.
Pesticide Exposure Linked to Childhood Cancers, U.S. Right to Know
A major study confirmed strong links between pesticide exposure and increased rates of childhood cancers, including leukemia and brain tumors. The research highlights that exposure to mixtures of pesticides-rather than single chemicals-poses significant risks to children’s health. Chemicals like glyphosate, paraquat, and dicamba were identified as key contributors. Public health advocates are calling for stricter pesticide regulation, greater investment in organic farming, and stronger protections for farmworker families.
New research shows that chronic pesticide exposure can damage DNA and cause cellular harm in both farmers and farmworkers. The findings underscore long-term health risks, including cancer, infertility, and neurological disorders. Communities of color and immigrant workers are disproportionately impacted, given their overrepresentation in agricultural labor. Advocates argue for urgent reforms, including a phase-out of the most hazardous chemicals, stronger workplace protections, and investment in safer, regenerative agricultural practices.
Yes, Mr. Secretary: Pesticide Exposures Matter- But There’s More Than Just Herbicides, PANNA
In response to U.S. Agriculture Secretary comments downplaying the broader impacts of pesticide use, PANNA (Pesticide Action Network) issued a statement urging regulators to address the full scope of pesticide harm. Beyond herbicides, insecticides and fungicides also contribute to biodiversity collapse, soil degradation, and health risks. PANNA calls for comprehensive reform that prioritizes ecological farming systems, worker safety, and community health over corporate agribusiness interests
The Hidden Antibiotic in Our Food, (Evslin Substack)
Hawaiʻi physician Lee Evslin raises alarms about ionophores, a class of antibiotics commonly used in U.S. livestock feed but hidden from public debate because they are not counted in FDA antibiotic-use reporting. Although marketed as “safe,” ionophores contribute to microbial resistance and threaten human health. Evslin argues for transparency in antibiotic use and warns against agribusiness practices that prioritize profit over food safety and public health.
Through Acts of Solidarity, We Can Support Impacted Farmers, Civil Eats (Op-Ed)
In the wake of canceled USDA programs and pesticide rollbacks, Civil Eats highlights grassroots solidarity efforts supporting farmers and food workers. Community-based organizations across the U.S. are stepping up with mutual aid, cooperative purchasing, and policy advocacy. The op-ed argues that building resilient food systems requires not only resisting harmful federal policies but also investing in worker-led solutions and food justice movements.
States That Are Doing the Most to Save Pollinators, Environment America
As pollinator populations continue to decline, several U.S. states are enacting strong protections, including restricting bee-killing neonicotinoids, expanding habitat restoration, and investing in pollinator-friendly farming practices. While federal action lags, these state-led efforts demonstrate how local policy can drive meaningful change in protecting biodiversity. Advocates say more states must follow suit to ensure long-term food security and ecosystem resilience.
Global Context
The Clue to Unlocking Parkinson’s, New York Times Opinion
The New York Times opinion piece highlights mounting evidence that pesticide and chemical exposure is a major driver of Parkinson’s disease, now the fastest-growing neurological disorder worldwide. Despite decades of research linking farm chemicals like paraquat and trichloroethylene to increased Parkinson’s risk, U.S. regulators have failed to act. The article urges stronger chemical oversight, more investment in public health research, and protections for workers and communities most exposed.
Corporate Concentration in Food and Farming: 2025 Update, GRAIN
Expanding on its global analysis, GRAIN details how agribusiness monopolies wield immense power over seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and food distribution worldwide. This concentration threatens small farmers, Indigenous food systems, and local markets, while deepening dependence on fossil fuel-based inputs. The report emphasizes the need for international cooperation to resist corporate capture and invest in agroecology and food sovereignty.
