The combination of Hawaiʻi’s highest-in-the-nation cost of living (in particular the cost of housing) and its comparatively low wages is pricing working families like Larisa’s out of their homes. Hawaiʻi’s homelessness and outmigration crises each stem from this unsustainable economic paradigm.

Our state tax code makes the situation worse. A comprehensive analysis of state and local taxes across the country shows that Hawaiʻi is the third-worst state when it comes to taxing struggling working families. Households in the lowest income category pay an effective tax rate of 14.1 percent, while the richest 1 percent pay an effective tax rate of 10.1 percent.

While families like Larisa’s were struggling during the pandemic, the top 20 percent of households got richer. The conditions that created this inequity—and the cycle of poverty it perpetuates—are the result of policy choices. Better policy choices can reverse the cycle.

The Hawaiʻi Legislature has the power to rebalance the tax code, easing the high burden on working families while increasing the share owed by the wealthy and corporations.

This strategy puts more money into the pockets of working families, stimulating our consumer economy.

At the same time, increasing taxes on wealth generates tax revenue for critical investments in our communities from those who can best afford to contribute.