Struggling on the frontline of collapse: Why a living wage is climate justice
A minimum wage increase is not just an economic policy. It is also a climate justice imperative.
Unburden the burdened: Why Hawaiʻi should expand its rental voucher program
Because vouchers target need rather than tenure, they avoid the market distortions that come with rent caps—and don’t create incentives to push tenants out.
The billionaire tax California is debating—and why Hawaiʻi should pay attention
At a moment when Hawaiʻi desperately needs more revenue, California’s proposal to tax billionaire assets offers a model for making the ultra-wealthy pay their fair share.
The surveillance grocery store: How algorithms target Hawaiʻi consumers
In an isolated state like Hawaiʻi, where shipping costs are already high and consumers have limited store alternatives, replacing fair market pricing with individual data extraction turns everyday necessities into variable-cost traps.
Behind the scenes: How Policy in Perspective tells the story of a legislative session
Built from a year’s worth of writing, analysis, and advocacy, Policy in Perspective creates the opportunity to take a step back and look at the legislative session from a bird’s eye view.
Under pressure: Hawaiʻi’s budget troubles demand action
The state is confronting a growing list of challenges that could throw our budget—and the programs and services within it—into disarray. Now more than ever, we need to preserve funding for Hawaiʻi’s working families.
Millionaire’s taxes are having a moment: Here’s why that’s good for all of us
A fairer tax code isn’t about punishing success. It’s about making sure all of us can thrive—not just a wealthy few.
A fair share for Hawaiʻi's future: Why we need to modernize the conveyance tax
As housing costs soar and the gap between the very wealthy and everyone else widens, we must ask ourselves: who benefits from Hawaiʻi's economy, and who is asked to contribute?
Hawaiʻi’s costly tax shift: How a billion-dollar cut threatens public services
The choice before us is whether we will allow a billion-dollar annual loss to erode our common foundation, or whether we will act to preserve it—for every family, and for generations to come.
Ditch the equity cap: How to make “locals-only” housing actually work
When outside demand is effectively infinite, deed restrictions that focus on creating a diverse resident-owner base across multiple housing types—rather than just capping prices—do more to shift the market toward locals than any single “affordable” building will.
Hawaiʻi’s two-tier tax system: How the rich use a glaring loophole to pay less
While teachers, nurses and service workers pay income tax on every dollar they earn, the wealthy can shield a large portion of their profits thanks to a special tax break on capital gains.
Transformative change meets budget realities—a central lawmaking tension plays out in two new reports
Policy in Perspective 2025 and the Hawaiʻi Budget Primer FY2025–26 provide a compelling—and sometimes sobering—look at how Hawaiʻi invests, and often under-invests, in its communities.
Hawaiʻi already has the tools to create a locals-only housing market; we just need to use them
Whether buying a first home, renting, or selling within the community, local people should have the advantage. Housing should function as a home—not as a global commodity.
The chilling effect: How federal cuts and immigration crackdowns threaten food security in Hawaiʻi
The mega budget bill that Congress recently passed narrows who can access critical programs like SNAP and Medicaid, while fueling fear and confusion about who can safely apply for assistance in the wake of increased immigration enforcement.
Incoming federal tax cuts will heavily favor Hawaiʻi’s wealthiest residents
The State of Hawaiʻi has an obligation to shore up its revenue through tax policies that make the wealthiest among us pay their fair share.
Hawaiʻi families deserve better: How federal cuts to nutrition programs will impact our state
With grocery prices still soaring and food insecurity on the rise, this is the worst possible time to shrink our nation's most important anti-hunger program.
Hawaiʻi’s 2025 legislature focused on raising tax revenue to prepare for federal cuts
Assessing a proper tax rate on corporations and the wealthy will be necessary to produce a budget that can fund critical safety net programs and investments in our future.
Transformative housing bills went nowhere this legislative session, but small wins keep hope alive
With federal cuts looming and home prices still climbing, the stakes have never been higher. One thing is clear: Hawaiʻi’s families can’t afford another session of half-measures.
How to fix Honolulu’s Empty Homes Tax proposal
A newly released report commissioned by the county council demonstrates the need to align Honolulu’s policy proposal with demonstrated best practices.
Proposed Trump tax cuts will overwhelmingly benefit the top 1 percent
As millions of Americans file their taxes this April, both the U.S. House and Senate have passed budget resolutions that open the pathway for a massive tax giveaway for the wealthiest people in the country.