Child advocates, parents discuss bill to expand free and reduced meals for Hawaiʻi keiki
A community forum was held Saturday at McKinley High School to discuss a senate bill that would expand access to free and reduced-price meals for public school keiki.
Are jaywalking tickets in Hawaiʻi doing more harm than good? A new report breaks it down
The report claims ticketing for jaywalking and other minor infractions doesn’t actually make streets safer, but instead shifts focus and resources away from more effective solutions, like better street design.
Hawaiʻi wants to purchase voluntary deed restrictions to preserve more homes for locals
This new approach would help buffer Hawaiʻi homes from speculation and encourage more locals to actively contribute to addressing the Islands’ housing challenges.
Senate bill advances to strip county council approval of state-funded housing projects
A bill to exempt state-financed housing developments from county council approval has passed second reading on the Hawaiʻi Senate floor and advanced to the Ways and Means Committee.
Working Families Caucus supports labor and workers’ rights in 2025 Legislative Package
In the 33rd Legislature, the Working Families Caucus has introduced bills addressing the child tax credit, supplemental nutrition assistance program, rent increase restrictions, family and medical leave and early education.
Hawaiʻi’s plan to develop leasehold homes advances
An unconventional state initiative to build more homes for Hawaii residents with moderate incomes is approaching a critical test to see whether homebuyers want high-rise condominiums with 99-year land leases.
House committee recommends passage of Kamaʻaina Homes Program
Modeled after the Vail InDEED program in tourist-Mecca Vail, Colo., the program would provide funding to the counties to purchase voluntary deed restrictions from eligible homeowners or homebuyers.
Current state of wealth taxes in America
This article explores the various kinds of wealth taxes, the history of wealth taxes in the United States, the most notable positions in the current wealth tax debate, recent proposals for wealth taxes at the federal level and the prospects of those proposals being implemented, and a state-by-state breakdown of current and proposed state wealth tax measures.
Legislators look to support student recovery from the pandemic
Some lawmakers and advocates say schools need more help with funding gaps, especially after federal assistance expired this fall.
An Oʻahu teacher’s futile apartment hunt shows how bad the rental market is
Housing policy advocates say Helen Lau's story is all too common amid Honolulu's housing crisis.
Governor Green enacts historic tax relief for working class
Taxpayers could see higher paychecks starting next year. However, the tax cuts raise concerns about how the state will manage to balance the budget in the years ahead.
Concerns rise for low-income families over legislature's recent tax cut measure
The cost of the tax cuts concerns some advocates. An analysis by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy estimated an initial annual revenue loss of $656 million, that balloons to close to $1.5 billion by 2030. That's about 10 percent of the state's total budget.
Hawaiʻi lawmakers spent big on public schools this year
But education advocates said the Legislature did little to address problems such as school bus driver shortages, fire safety and the need for more preschool teachers.
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.
It’s being called Hawaiʻi’s biggest tax break, but some will get more help than others
Although pleased the inheritance tax reduction failed, Hawaiʻi Appleseed was unhappy that the reform bill delivers so much relief to people with the highest incomes.
Repeal jaywalking laws to boost safety
Let’s prioritize safety, equity and community well-being by investing in much-needed pedestrian infrastructure.
In last-minute plea to Legislature, Maui’s mayor requests $125M for wildfire recovery aid
The request is getting a cool response amid pressure to do more for low-income residents.
Maui Mayor Richard Bissen is on the hot seat now. And rightly so
Community and labor groups hope to hold legislators accountable to local working families.
The last major tax bills still alive this session would cut income and estate taxes
It's a tight budget year and lawmakers are being criticized for advancing a major reduction in the state inheritance tax that would only benefit Hawaiʻi's wealthiest families.
What do estate tax cuts for the wealthy say about Hawaiʻi’s priorities?
Should the tax cut become law, it will speak volumes about our state’s priorities.