Hawaiʻi Department of Education to begin weekly meal box distribution for children in Kaʻū communities

August 23, 2026 - 18:00

The Hawaiʻi Department of Education is rolling out a weekly meal box distribution starting next week for children living in the Kaʻū district on Hawaiʻi Island. The program targets families in Pāhala, Nāʻālehu, and Ocean View, areas still working through recovery after Hurricane Lala disrupted normal routines and supply chains.

Each box will contain five breakfasts and five lunches, designed to cover the school week for keiki who may have missed meals due to school closures or transportation issues. The department says the boxes are meant to supplement, not replace, regular school meals, and they are available to any child 18 and under, regardless of enrollment status. No registration or proof of income is required.

Pickup locations and times have been set at three community hubs: Kaʻū High and Pāhala Elementary, Nāʻālehu Elementary, and the Ocean View Community Center. Families can collect boxes every Tuesday afternoon starting next week, with distribution running until further notice. The department asks that only one adult per household pick up to manage crowds, and that families bring their own bags if possible.

This effort is part of a broader response to the hurricane's aftermath, which knocked out power and closed roads in the rural district for days. While most schools have reopened, some families still face long drives to reach campuses. The meal boxes aim to ease that burden, ensuring no child goes hungry while the community rebuilds. Officials say they will reassess the program weekly based on need, and they encourage families to contact the district office if they have trouble reaching a pickup site.