Push to feed Hawaiʻi kids more local food is ‘structural disaster’
The DOE has not taken the effort seriously and has no real plan for how to meet a legislative mandate to spend 30 percent of its food budget locally by 2030, according to a state audit.
Hawaiʻi lawmakers debate scaling back promised tax cuts
In 2024, lawmakers passed sweeping tax relief under Act 46, promising phased income tax reductions for Hawaiʻi residents over several years. But the state’s financial outlook has changed.
Balancing the state budget could require pauses to income tax cut plan
With federal funding cuts on the horizon, state lawmakers are advancing measures proposed by Gov. Josh Green that would pause some of the “historic” state tax cuts passed in 2024.
Hawaiʻi lawmakers debate Gov. Green’s freeze on income tax cut
Because lower tax rates through this year will continue at the 2026 level beyond this year, Green’s office said Hawaiʻi families will save $5.4 billion over the next five years after $1.5 billion this year under his proposal.
What pushes locals out of Hawaiʻi? Low wages
The Honolulu Charter Commission has a once-in-a-decade opportunity to address the county’s crisis.
Free buses for keiki? Supporters hopeful after statewide bill axed
A proposal for statewide free transit died last week at the Legislature, but supporters still have hope for a proposal to make transit free for youth.
Bill to reduce taxes on groceries, nonprescription drugs in Hawaiʻi dies in committee
Hawaiʻi Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice provided written testimony stating Hawaiʻi is one of only seven states that taxes groceries.
Keiki Ride Free measure on buses and rail advances
A proposal moving through the state Legislature would make riding the bus free for Hawaiʻi’s children, aiming to ease family transportation costs while helping the state meet its ambitious climate goals.
Hawaiʻi coalition calls for tax fairness for local needs
As Hawaiʻi struggles to meet growing needs in housing, education, health care and climate resilience, a broad coalition of community groups, labor unions and nonprofit advocates is pushing lawmakers to confront a long-standing question: how to pay for it.
New online tool shows disparities between communities on basic needs
Annalisa Burgos asks Hawaiʻi Appleseed how its Economic Justice Data Dashboard can help focus government spending.
Hawaiʻi Appleseed launches new interactive Economic Justice Data Dashboard
The Economic Justice Data Dashboard provides a clear, visual snapshot of how communities at the state, county and legislative district levels are performing across interconnected areas of economic security.
5 Questions: Will White, Appleseed Hawaiʻi executive director
This year marks an inflection point for Hawaiʻi. We can either accept the federal government’s retreat from our public benefits system, or reinvent and reinvest in new systems that work to support Hawaiʻi’s most vulnerable families.
Counties urged to boost role protecting residents from hunger
A new policy brief from Hawaiʻi Appleseed argues that counties are increasingly positioned to act as front-line responders as federal resources recede and local needs grow.
5 ways Hawaiʻi counties can help address food insecurity
A new nonprofit policy brief recommends areas of focus for leaders at the county level to make the most impact on local food systems in coordination with state and federal resources.
Policy brief calls for expanded county role in addressing food security in Hawaiʻi
A new policy brief from the Hawaiʻi Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice urges leaders on the county level to address food insecurity as federal nutrition programs face significant funding cuts.
With hunger growing on Oʻahu, a push to put food security to a vote
The Charter Commission is holding a first hearing today of a proposal to create a food security fund using property tax revenue.
Green suggests Hawaiʻi might scale back on income tax cuts
The governor also says he will likely tap into the state’s “rainy day” reserve to draw down hundreds of millions of dollars to balance the state budget.
Lighting the way to safer streets in Waipahu and ʻEwa
Residents in these Leeward neighborhoods are about to make their bus stops and crosswalks safer in a project led by the Hawaiʻi Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice, aided with federal grant money.
More Hawaiʻi residents are going hungry, new statewide report shows
The report was produced at a time when food security was bad in Hawaiʻi. But now, advocates say, it’s even worse.
How parking spot mandates affect affordable housing in Honolulu
Parking mandates can have a large impact on affordable housing projects, according to a report by the Hawaiʻi Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice.