How Hawaii Squandered Its Food Security — And What It Will Take To Get It Back - Honolulu Civil Beat How Hawaii Squandered Its Food Security — And What It Will Take To Get It Back Hawaii’s reliance on food imports began in the 1960s. To achieve self-sufficiency again, experts say it will take old values and new tools. Reading time: 8 minutes. Nearly 2,500 miles from the nearest continent, Hawaii spends up to $3 billion a year importing more than 80% of its food — a dilemma that government leaders, economists, farmers, food shoppers and community activists have long tried to solve. Things weren’t always so grim.