The Maui Food Bank’s recent purchase of 8 acres in Central Maui marks a significant step forward in boosting food access for the community. This land will serve as a central hub, enhancing storage capacity and improving responses to disasters.
“This has been a long-time need for us,” said CEO Lisa Paulson. With current operations spread across three separate facilities, they often struggle with limited cooling and storage space. The new site will provide expanded space for chillers, freezers, and loading docks, ultimately reducing rental costs.
This project is about more than just efficiency. The facility will also transition into a disaster aid hub. Paulson emphasized that the site would have backup generators and solar panels, ensuring continued food preservation following emergencies.
Food insecurity remains a pressing issue in Maui. After the pandemic, demand dipped but surged again following the devastating wildfires in 2023. Currently, nearly one-third of households in Hawaiʻi face food insecurity, and in Maui County, it exceeds 40%. “The demand is alarming,” Paulson noted, highlighting the urgent need for better resources.
In the aftermath of the wildfires, programs like the Da Market in Lahaina continue to function, providing complimentary food and fresh produce to those in temporary housing. In just one fiscal year, the food bank distributed 7.6 million pounds of food, enough to feed 17,000 people daily.
Looking forward, the Maui Food Bank also aims to serve neighboring islands like Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi. Paulson discussed plans for storage facilities on these islands to improve disaster readiness and help with food distribution. Presently, aid is delivered roughly once or twice a month, and the new Maui site could enhance food storage for island residents.
This food bank has a unique challenge: it is the only one in the U.S. that distributes aid over water. The new facilities will also bolster local agriculture by increasing the capacity for sourcing goods from Maui’s farmers, which currently number 29. The campus’s construction, expected to begin in phases, depends on sourcing building materials. The first phase is projected for completion by early 2030.
This project is not just about immediate relief; it’s about building a sustainable future for Maui’s food security. The Maui Food Bank is set to launch a capital campaign to fund the construction and ensure they are ready to meet the community’s needs for years to come.
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