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.
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.
Transportation: a cost-of-living burden but also an opportunity
Reframe the conversation by investing in multimodal services and infrastructure.
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.
Hawaiʻi’s hunger crisis is here, and urgent
We find ourselves in the midst of a hunger crisis driven by sky-high living costs, cuts to essential nutrition supports, and food systems that don’t work for all of us.
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.
Protecting Hawaiʻi’s future demands pause on tax cuts
In the face of severe and unpredictable federal cuts, the plan to pause future state income tax cuts is a responsible safeguard for the very foundations of our community.
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.
New year, new parking law
As of January 1, a new Hawaiʻi law now requires drivers to park at least 20 feet away from any crosswalk or intersection.
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.
Hawaiʻi to restrict soda purchases under SNAP in 2026; local groups oppose
Instead, increasing incentives for fruits and vegetables does a better job of promoting healthy eating and reducing purchases of sugar-sweetened beverages among SNAP participants.
Escalating climate disasters could make homes uninsurable, new report warns
Hawaiʻi is facing a rapidly escalating insurance crisis driven by climate change, aging housing, and a sharp retreat by private insurers, according to a new report released by the Hawaiʻi Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice.
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.
Why understanding Hawaiʻi’s budget is an important civic duty
An engaged and informed public is the most powerful tool for change we have.
Four Hawaiʻi nonprofits receive investments as SNAP cuts loom
More than 13,000 people in Hawaiʻi could lose some or all of their benefits each month once expanded work requirements are implemented.
State fund aims to get more kids walking to school. Will they be safer?
The funds won’t be released until early next year, but the transportation department is looking at ways to expedite processes so work can begin within four months of receipt.
Honolulu’s early eviction mediation and rental assistance program’s success
The next step is for more opportunities to uplift the statewide efforts advancing housing stability through early intervention and cross-sector collaboration.
No one will say why school lunch costs Hawaiʻi DOE $9 a plate
Lawmakers have pushed the education department for more details on the costs of running its school meal program.