Want the economy to recover? Don’t cut the public sector
Doing so would prolong unemployment and lead to poorer health, lost productivity and a drop in economic security.
Q&A: Beth Giesting on Hawaiʻi’s economy and Gov. Ige’s proposed 20 percent cut to public employee salaries
Giesting describes the potential impacts of Gov. Ige’s proposal and the actions she recommends to better support the state economy.
Hawaiʻi should put unemployed to work
Tourism’s return may take years, not months, because we need to ensure that visitors aren’t bringing new waves of the virus.
Hawaiʻi nonprofits want more say in how state spends federal virus aid
More than 60 nonprofits want the state to expand its safety net to help immigrants and other marginalized groups.
5 questions with retired head of the Hawaiʻi Appleseed Center, Victor Geminiani
Our state and county leaders have critical work ahead to deliver on those values. Let’s hope we put ones in who are ready to chart the future we all want.
Stimulus checks won't cover even a month's expenses in Hawaiʻi
Eligible residents in Hawaiʻi are starting to receive cash stimulus payments from the federal government. But the one-time $1,200 checks won’t go far in Hawaiʻi.
200,000 jobs in Hawaiʻi vulnerable to pandemic recession
With economists predicting short-term unemployment rates as high as 25 percent, the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic will dwarf the Great Recession.
More groups call on Ige to bring transparency back into government
The Hawaiʻi governor suspended state laws that allow citizens access to public meetings and records while officials struggle to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nonprofits from Waiʻanae to Kaneʻohe offer more free meals for keiki
The meals for children are to replace breakfasts and lunches they normally would receive if public schools were in session and not closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
YMCA of Honolulu extends grab-and-go free meal distribution through April 3 for children in need
The healthy lunches prepared according to USDA standards, will continue to be distributed to children in need 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., Mon.–Fri., through April 3.
Nonprofits including YMCA offer free lunches to keiki on Oʻahu
Nonprofit groups are offering free grab-and-go lunches to children at various sites on Oʻahu to supplement those being offered at many public schools by the DOE.
Community groups offer free lunch to kids
The grab-and-go meals at a handful of sites around Oʻahu supplement the DOE’s own meal service which began this week while schools are closed.
Hawaiʻi’s success against coronavirus requires government investment, not austerity
Our policymakers must take effective action to protect and support Hawaiʻi’s economy and, more importantly, its people.
Pandemic update: spring is here, but states brace for long winter
The impact of COVID-19 in Hawaiʻi is starting to take shape as the state’s Council on Revenues projects that it could mean a $300 million hit to state tax collections.
Every keiki needs a (healthy) breakfast
It's up to all of us to ensure that our keiki have the nutrition they need to be academically successful and healthy.
New federal rules could hurt immigrants and state economy
Ever since the proposal was first leaked, critics predicted it would have a chilling effect on legal immigrant families who are eligible for public assistance.
Aim higher for Hawaiʻi’s minimum wage
Job losses have not been linked to past raises. The EITC has not sufficiently offset poverty levels. Nearly half the population barely gets by.
Minimum wage hike bill advances, but critics say it’s still not enough
A bill to hike Hawaiʻi’s minimum wage is moving to the full house, but critics say it still falls short of what a person needs to live in the 50th state.
Hawaiʻi home to lowest school breakfast participation in U.S.
Fewer than 40 low-income children in Hawaiʻi ate school breakfast for every 100 that received free or reduced-price school lunch last school year.
Is an $868,000 home affordable? Hawaiʻi senators say no
Advocates voiced forceful opposition to a so-called affordable housing bill they say is far from affordable. A committee of lawmakers took their side.