15 Hawaiʻi Island Schools to Offer Free Summer Meals for Children

by Thunda
2 minutes read

HILO, Hawaiʻi – Fifteen public schools across Hawaiʻi Island will participate in the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education’s (HIDOE) free summer meal program, starting June 12, 2025. These schools are part of a statewide initiative, offering nutritious breakfasts and lunches to children aged 18 and younger through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Seamless Summer Option (SSO) program. Children do not need to be enrolled in public school to receive meals.

Meals will be served Monday through Friday, with breakfast available from 7:15 to 8:45 a.m. and lunch from 10:30 a.m. to noon. There will be no meal service on the July 4 state holiday. The SSO program is federally funded, aiming to ensure children continue to receive vital nutrition during summer breaks.

“For many of our students, school meals are a vital source of daily nutrition,” Superintendent Keith Hayashi said. “Our cafeteria teams are stepping up once again to make sure kids across Hawai‘i stay healthy and well-fed this summer. We encourage families to take advantage of these free meals — no sign-up or enrollment is needed.”

All meals must be consumed on campus, as grab-and-go options are not available. The meals will consist of solid foods. For special diet accommodations, families can email specialdiets@k12.hi.us with detailed requests.

To qualify for the SSO program, schools must have at least 50% of their students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch and must host a summer program on campus. Parents are advised to call their nearest participating school directly for specific details regarding meal service.

On Hawaiʻi Island, the following 15 schools will be offering the free summer meals:

  • Hilo High
  • Honokaʻa High & Inter.
  • Kapiʻolani El.
  • Kaʻū High & Pāhala Inter.
  • Keaʻau El.
  • Keaʻau Middle
  • Kealakehe El.
  • Keaukaha El.
  • Konawaena El.
  • Mountain View El.
  • Nāʻālehu El.
  • Paʻauilo El. & Inter.
  • Pāhoa High & Inter.
  • Waiākea High
  • Waiākea Inter.

Across the state, a total of 68 HIDOE schools are participating, with 40 on Oʻahu, 9 on Maui, 2 on Moloka‘i, and 2 on Kaua‘i.

The Seamless Summer Option is an equal opportunity provider. For more information, details about the program’s non-discrimination statement, and information on how to file a complaint, individuals can visit the USDA website at https://www.fns.usda.gov/sfsp/seamless-summer-and-other-options-schools.

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