Annual passes for TheBus are set to increase by $110
Those in opposition argued that public transit is generally used by those from lower-income households, and that increasing bus fares would add to the struggles of Hawaiʻi’s high cost of living.
Honolulu City Council votes to raise public transit fares
The Council voted 6-3 — with Radiant Cordero, Matt Weyer, and Dos Santos-Tam dissenting — to adopt the new transit fares.
Honolulu bus, rail fares set to go up this summer
Council members voted Wednesday to boost the cost of an adult bus pass by $10 a month, along with other price hikes.
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.
How City Council could improve food security for Oʻahu residents
The Honolulu City Council should work on disaster planning, summer feeding programs for children, kūpuna programs, and direct funding for food banks.
Mom-and-pop stores losing EBT customers struggle to survive
It’s not only making it harder for families to put food on their tables. It’s also affecting people’s livelihoods.
Bill 53 would increase Oʻahu housing costs
Reinstating parking mandates for developers in Honolulu means choosing cars over people and asphalt over affordability.
State passes a bill to expand free school meal access
The bill, SB1300, will go into effect with the upcoming 2025-26 school year and will cover students whose family income is not more than 300 percent of the federal poverty level.
End burdensome school impact fees, put funds to good use
Bringing the overall cost of development down is critical to meet demand, and one way to help is by eliminating costly and ineffective school impact fees.
Raise sales tax on costly homes, build more rentals
When hard-working locals—from teachers and nurses to waitresses—are struggling to stay housed, it means we have a serious problem.
State is scrambling to fix SNAP food program following $11M fine for errors
Hawaiʻi hopes the federal government will waive half of the penalty if the state invests more than $5 million in new technology.
New policy brief proposes targeted tax relief for struggling Hawaiʻi families
As local families continue to leave Hawaiʻi due to the high cost of living, Hawaiʻi Appleseed stresses the urgency for additional legislative action to help those at risk of homelessness.
No income tax for working class? Unions float radical proposal
A better approach would be to expand an existing state tax credit that was created to offset some of the impact of the excise tax on food, or to create a new child tax credit to support working families.
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.
Keiki Caucus introduces 2025 legislative package
Legislators and advocates identified five top priority issues impacting Hawaiʻi’s youth and families, including tax credits for household and dependent care services, funding for community schools, paid family leave, e-cigarette regulations, and universal free school breakfast and lunches.
Hawaiʻi families could face big price hike for school meals
Charging elementary and middle school students $4.75 for lunch would be a huge hit to working families, advocates say.
Is Hawaiʻi’s historic investment in affordable housing paying off?
Two years ago, the state made a record investment in affordable rental housing. Results so far are both encouraging and sobering.
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.