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.
Why understanding Hawaiʻi’s budget is an important civic duty
An engaged and informed public is the most powerful tool for change we have.
Trump's actions prompt surge in public forums as worries about cutbacks climb
Hawaiʻi’s elected leaders are using town halls to help people understand what’s happening and what they are doing about it.
Lawmakers give final approval to a ‘historic’ income tax cut in long day of voting
The tax bill along with nearly 200 other measures now go to Gov. Josh Green for his consideration.
Hawaiʻi legislature prepares to conclude, transparency advocates cry foul
Hawaiʻi’s 2020 legislative session was hallmarked by social distancing measures aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19 that may also have disenfranchised the public.
COVID-19 budget moves out for passage, but not without controversy
The allocations of the federal aid money drew criticism from social service agencies while the process of adopting the budget measure, using a method called gut-and-replace, riled others.
More groups call on Ige to bring transparency back into government
The Hawaiʻi governor suspended state laws that allow citizens access to public meetings and records while officials struggle to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.
Champion of legal aid to Hawaiʻi’s poor announces retirement
After a 50-year career in public interest law and advocacy, Hawaiʻi Appleseed co-director Victor Geminiani announced on Wednesday that he will retire Aug. 31.
DOE leadership starting work on new 10-year strategic plan
With the DOE’s current plan due to sunset in 2020, it’s clear many academic success “targets,” such as reducing student absenteeism and increasing teacher retention, won’t be met.
Pacific Resource Partnership app allows users to get more involved in Hawaiʻi legislative bills
In a state notorious for low voter turnout, a lobbying group has developed a free mobile app to get younger residents more involved in legislative matters.
Introducing KAKOU, Hawaiʻi’s first ever civic engagement app
KĀKOU is a unified, digital platform that makes it easy for everyone to engage with Hawaiʻi’s elected officials and participate in the democratic process.
This time Hawaiʻi lawmakers must deliver on all-mail elections
Similar measures died in the legislature the past three sessions. Let’s get it right in 2018.
Hawaiʻi may switch to all-mail elections in 2020
A bill requiring the conversion in hopes of increasing voter turnout is headed to the House floor.
Hawaiʻi Can: Episode 33 Moving Forward in 2017
AiKea Movement interviews Hawaiʻi Appleseed’s Nicole Woo and UNITE HERE! Local 5’s Paola Rodelas about upcoming people first advocacy efforts in the 2017 legislative session and beyond in the wake of the election of Donald Trump as president.