State collects money from home builders for new schools. It’s never spent a dime
Lawmakers and housing advocates say the fee should be eliminated because the state hasn’t used the money. DOE says the rules on spending it are too restrictive.
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.
Federal cuts put our communities at risk
With looming federal freezes on funding, services and jobs, community organizations are faced with the challenge of serving their communities under increasingly dire circumstances.
Hawaiʻi lawmakers are pushing for car-free fun zones—but not on Oʻahu
Some Oʻahu lawmakers worry the program could snarl traffic in their districts.
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.
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.
Lawmakers should leverage tax credits to preserve Hawaiʻi’s working class
Almost half of the population cannot pay their bills on time while also saving money for emergencies.
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.
The price of hunger: Navigating the cost burden of free meals for Hawaiʻi students
Hawaiʻi Appleseed’s “Equity on the Menu” shows a cost estimate of $26 million per year. This would be 1.2 percent of the Hawaiʻi DOE’s overall annual budget, set this year at just over $2 billion.
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.
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 is over-dependent on cars. Can the state spend more on alternative transportation?
Between 2019-2024, the Hawaiʻi DOT spent almost two-thirds of its capital improvement budget on projects that increase vehicle transportation, a pattern of spending that leads to more traffic, higher emissions, and fewer options for people who don’t drive.
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.
Hawaiʻi County Council could join call for free school meals statewide
A resolution introduced by the council said that Hawaiʻi Island has the highest rate of food insecurity in the state, but the issue is statewide.
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.
How Hawaiʻi could prepare for financial impacts of second Trump term
Working families in Hawaiʻi could end up paying more in taxes if President-elect Donald Trump implements some of his proposed policies, but analysts say there’s a way the state can help.