Hawaii residents are fed a bit better than most of the nation, according to a federal study gauging what is called “;food security.”;

From 2005 through 2007, about 8.4 percent of households in the state struggled to feed themselves, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's annual report on people getting food.

But this doesn't mean Hawaii should shirk its responsibilities in serving residents who have trouble getting food, said University of Hawaii professor George Kent, who researches hunger issues.

Kent said that percentage has hovered at the same level for the past few years, but more needs to be done in looking at the kinds of people who are struggling to eat properly.

“;If you distinguish it by particular groups, by ethnicity or income levels, that's where the attention should be focused,”; Kent said. “;From previous examinations, native Hawaiians have a relatively high level of food insecurity.”;

Kent said Hawaii's status is “;relatively good”; compared to the rest of the nation. The state with the biggest problem is Mississippi, which had 17.4 percent reporting trouble getting food. The lowest problem is in North Dakota at 6.5 percent.

The report showed that during 2007, the number of children who suffered a substantial disruption in the amount of food they typically eat was more than double the 430,000 in 2006 and the largest figure since 716,000 in 1998.

Overall, the 36.2 million adults and children who struggled with hunger during the year was up slightly from 35.5 million in 2006. That was 12.2 percent of Americans who didn't have the money or assistance to get enough food to maintain active, healthy lives.

Almost a third of those, or 11.9 million adults and children, went hungry at some point. That figure has grown by more than 40 percent since 2000. The government says these people suffered a substantial disruption in their food supply at some point and classifies them as having “;very low food security.”;

The findings should increase pressure to meet President-elect Barack Obama's campaign pledge to expand food aid and end childhood hunger by 2015, said James Weill, president of the Food Research and Action Center, an anti-hunger group.

He predicted the 2008 numbers will show even more hunger because of the sharp economic downturn this year.

“;There's every reason to think the increases in the number of hungry people will be very, very large based on the increased demand we're seeing this year,”; Weill said.

Weill said the figures show that economic growth during the first seven years of the Bush administration didn't reach the poorest and hungriest people. “;The people in the deepest poverty are suffering the most,”; Weill said.

Kent said the state government needs to examine hunger in Hawaii, particularly during the current economic downturn.

The downturn has caused food supplies to run low at the Hawaii Foodbank. Last month, the charity had about 14 days' worth of inventory in stock, less than its ideal 30-day supply.

The Foodbank supports about 250 Oahu nonprofit organizations.

Foodbank President Dick Grimm has said people are donating less, and rising food costs are forcing the Foodbank to cut back on purchases.

“;The state is quite silent on the issue, and that's quite a remarkable disconnect,”; Kent said. “;The way the Foodbank paints it, the problem is pretty substantial.”;