Why does Hawaiʻi have a GET?
The General Excise Tax. We all know it, we all complain about it, especially the way it stacks up in transaction after transaction, raising prices. But there was a time when it didn't exist at all. Here's a look at who created it, when, and, most importantly, why.
More Hawaiʻi residents are going hungry, new statewide report shows
The report was produced at a time when food security was bad in Hawaiʻi. But now, advocates say, it’s even worse.
New federal rules ramp up the pressure on people who count on food stamps
Thousands of people in Hawaiʻi will be cut from the program entirely or face additional hurdles, including added work requirements.
Hawaiʻi DOE wants another $30M for a facility that hasn’t been built
The Department of Education is pinning its local food buying goals on a central facility, and the budget is getting bigger and bigger.
Can Hawaiʻi turn around another deadly year on the roads?
An executive order emphasizes enforcement and safety education, but data shows infrastructure is also a major factor in many fatal accidents.
Why understanding Hawaiʻi’s budget is an important civic duty
An engaged and informed public is the most powerful tool for change we have.
Possible recession, federal cuts could have outsize effect on low-income households
A new budget report from the Hawaiʻi Appleseed Center sheds light on the difficulties our state may face in funding critical services as federal dollars dry up and a recession hits.
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.
How federal tax cuts will impact Hawaiʻi residents
While everyone will see some reduction in taxes, for lower- and middle-class households, that will likely be outweighed by rising costs.
Why this Honolulu housing strategy is not a ‘super successful’ program
A new state law requires counties to let homeowners build two additional housing units on eligible properties. Honolulu is struggling to persuade people to build just one.
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.
Economic prosperity rises from the bottom up
The Hawaiʻi Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice looks at the recent legislative session's hits and misses in this Community Voice column for Aloha State Daily.
Proposed cuts to food stamps program could be ‘horrific’ in Hawaiʻi
Under current proposals, Hawaiʻi could face more than $100 million in new costs to maintain the food stamp program.
Hawaiʻi Appleseed has a new executive director
Will White aims to build from the organization’s solid foundation to advance its mission of advocating for economic justice for Hawaiʻi's people.
Housing: Lawmakers fund more housing, not special treatment for locals
Housing advocates unsuccessfully pushed for bills that would have given cash incentives for deed restrictions that require a property owner to be a resident working in the state.
Progress report: Hawaiʻi’s working families need more support
Advocates for working families are concerned that bad things are coming with federal cuts and hoped the legislature would do more to increase the state’s safety net.
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.
Bill offering displaced tenants protections dies at legislature
The bill’s supporters said one state Senator was responsible for the outcome