RATIONALE:
Sugary drinks are a leading source of added sugar in Hawai‘i and a major contributor to preventable chronic diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. High consumption of sugary beverages is associated with increased health care costs and disproportionately impacts keiki, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities, and families with limited access to healthy food and beverage options. A modest fee on sugary drinks is a proven public health strategy to reduce consumption while generating revenue to invest in health and prevention.
Jurisdictions that have implemented sugary drink fees have seen significant reductions in sugary drink consumption and increases in healthier beverage choices, such as water. In Hawai‘i, a $0.02 per ounce fee could generate nearly $70 million per year to fund nutrition programs, kūpuna services, and other community health initiatives, improving long-term health outcomes and reducing health care expenditures statewide.
2026 Bills:
TAKE ACTION NOW:
Public hearings are an opportunity for the public to weigh in on bills being considered by lawmakers. Submitting testimony for these hearings is an important way to let lawmakers know your position on these important issues. All you need to do is share why you are in strong support (we have some talking points below to get you started!). Each hearing may have different lawmakers, so you must submit testimony each time there is a new hearing.
How to Submit Testimony
- Log-in /make an account on the Capitol website.
- Go to the bill page for HB 2146 and click on the “Submit Testimony” button.
- Upload or write your testimony in SUPPORT of the bill (It doesn’t need to be long!).
- Please submit testimony by [DATE/TIME] (at least 24 hours in before the hearing) to ensure your testimony is received on-time and reviewed by the committee members! Late testimony will be accepted until the time of the hearing.
SAMPLE TESTIMONY:
Sugary drinks are a leading source of added sugar in Hawai‘i and a major driver of chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, tooth decay, and obesity. A modest fee on sugary drinks is a proven public health strategy that reduces consumption while generating nearly $70 million per year to support health programs for keiki and local families. This proposal provides a unique opportunity to prevent chronic illness while investing in community health initiatives, including food access, kūpuna services, local agriculture, and school meals programs. Over 40 countries and eight major U.S. cities have established sugar-sweetened beverage programs. Please support a healthier Hawai‘i by passing this bill.
TALKING POINTS:
- A sugary drink fee is a proven public health intervention. Sugary drinks are a major driver of preventable chronic diseases like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Evidence from other jurisdictions shows that a modest sugary drink fee significantly reduces sugary drink consumption and increases healthier choices like water.
- A sugary drink fee would generate significant revenue for health priorities. A $0.02 per-ounce fee in Hawai‘i could raise an estimated $66 million annually for free school meals, kūpuna programs, food access, and other community health initiatives.
- Communities overwhelmingly support the policy, especially when funds are earmarked for health. Support exceeds 80% among Hawai‘i voters and households earning under $50,000 when revenues are dedicated to health improvement programs for keiki and families.
- A sugary drink fee would improve health without harming local economies. Berkeley’s sugary drink tax led to a 52% reduction in sugary drink consumption, a 29% increase in water consumption, and a 7.2% increase in food-sector jobs.
- Hawai‘i could see substantial long-term health cost savings. A statewide fee could save $60 million in health care costs over 10 years, reduce sugary beverage sales by more than 33%, lower gestational diabetes rates by 41%, and reduce pediatric oral health hospitalizations by 29%.
- Use of sugary drink fees is growing global and national movement. At least 40 countries and eight major U.S. cities have adopted sugar-sweetened beverage fee programs.