Hawaiʻi wealth flight fears are overblown
The evidence points only one way: Top earners stay where their lives are rooted. And Hawaiʻi has plenty to keep them here.
State budget directs $200 million to Maui wildfire recovery
Hawaiʻi Appleseed reported the state maintains a regressive tax structure, where the poorest 20 percent of residents pay 14.1 percent in effective state and local taxes, and the wealthiest 1 percent pay 10.1 percent.
Hawaiʻi income tax cuts hang in balance as legislative session nears end
House and Senate committees focused on state finances pursued different paths in early March to preserve more or all of the scheduled tax breaks for all but the highest-income households.
Tax fairness promoted in bills would implement major changes
The Hawaii Tax Fairness Coalition is advocating for bills that would make major changes to the state’s income tax, capital gains tax, real estate sales tax and a tax on income for real estate investment trusts.
Hawaiʻi lawmakers debate scaling back promised tax cuts
In 2024, lawmakers passed sweeping tax relief under Act 46, promising phased income tax reductions for Hawaiʻi residents over several years. But the state’s financial outlook has changed.
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.
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.
Scrutinize pause of tax cuts for all
Freezing progression of at least some of the state’s planned tax cuts is the clearest, cleanest path to preserving financial balance—at least until the effect of federal spending cuts is fully determined.
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.
Policy brief calls for expanded county role in addressing food security in Hawaiʻi
A new policy brief from the Hawaiʻi Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice urges leaders on the county level to address food insecurity as federal nutrition programs face significant funding cuts.
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.
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.
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.
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 lawmakers plan special sessions to address federal funding cuts
State lawmakers are blocking off three dates in the coming months for a special legislative session to address federal funding cuts.
Trump's actions prompt surge in public forums as worries about cutbacks climb
Hawaiʻi’s elected leaders are using town halls to help people understand what’s happening and what they are doing about it.
Suit filed against Hawaiʻi Public Housing Authority
The suit makes claims of hazardous conditions and discriminatory obstacles at Kuhio Park Terrace and Kuhio Homes.
State’s a slumlord, suit says
The suit alleges tenants are living in squalid, unsanitary conditions, with elevators that don’t work, apartments infested by roaches and rats and faulty sewage lines that cause brown wastewater to fill housing units.