Nearly 1 in 3 Hawaiʻi residents faced hunger in 2023.1 In Hawaiʻi, grocery prices are 50% above the national average, and many families have difficulty affording nutritious meals.2 The impact goes beyond physical health, with research showing that adults and children living in food-insecure households are more likely to experience depression, anxiety, mood disorders and suicidal thoughts.3
Recognizing these challenges, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Hawaiʻi invested $90K in 2023 to support Helping Hands Hawaiʻi (HHH). With a new $90K award in 2025, UnitedHealthcare is helping expand HHH’s capacity to connect more families with essential food resources to improve nutrition and support self-sufficiency across the islands.
Removing barriers to food assistance
HHH’s outreach team has identified eight major barriers to accessing healthy food programs, ranging from geographic isolation and transportation issues to limited English proficiency. For individuals experiencing homelessness, the absence of an ID or mailing address can make access especially difficult.
Through its mobile and community-based model, HHH works directly with individuals and households to overcome these barriers. Staff provide in-home and community-based assistance, guide clients through applications and renewals and act as liaisons with Hawaiʻi’s Department of Human Services to simplify the process. The team also offers language interpretation services, educational materials, and personalized follow-up.
Building on proven impact
UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Hawaiʻi’s support of Helping Hands Hawaiʻi is ongoing: in 2023, funding helped serve 2,808 individuals across the state. In 2024, the program expanded even further, assisting 3,780 individuals and submitting 653 new or recertification of benefit applications. Many of those served represent populations in need: more than half of households were female-led, one-third were seniors, and nearly 40% included people who have a disability.
Advancing whole-person health through food security
Food security drives better health. By supporting Helping Hands Hawaiʻi, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Hawaiʻi is addressing factors that have a significant impact on population health. Ensuring that families can reliably access nutritious meals not only improves chronic disease prevention, but also supports mental resilience and long-term stability.
