Senate’s tax fairness bill is good for Hawaiʻi—here’s why
Senate Bill 56 accomplishes what most of us would like our tax system to do: It assesses a greater contribution to the public good from those who can afford it.
New federal relief bill will help Hawaiʻi. But it’s still not enough for a full recovery
At the end of the day, vaccinations are what will help get tourists back to the islands, economists say, although it will likely take several years before the economy looks like it did before the pandemic.
Hawaiʻi lawmakers considering nation’s highest income tax
The bill includes hikes to the capital gains tax, corporate tax and taxes on high-end real estate sales.
Here’s how tax increases are shaking out in the Hawaiʻi legislature
Senators moved to raise income taxes on high earners, and the House passed capital gains and inheritance tax increases.
Report calls for better data about and for Native Hawaiians
Native Hawaiians face disproportionate social and economic problems, but data about them is often incomplete, complicating efforts to improve the situation.
State offers more food stamp flexibility amid record participation
Most SNAP applications are now processed online and members can now use their EBT cards to make online purchases for pick-up at select Walmart locations.
Over 400 organizations urge senate to pass American Rescue Plan for state and local aid
The organizations highlighted how state and local budgets have been slashed, causing job losses in critical sectors like education and healthcare that will be central to addressing the public health crisis.
Make sure Hawaiʻi's tax policy is equitable
Tax policy must ensure that the burden of funding our society—of bringing in the revenues we need to give Hawaiʻi’s residents the best and brightest future possible—is spread fairly.
Hawaiʻi lawmakers mull mediation to prevent mass evictions after moratorium lifted
A bill would require landlords to enter mediation upon a tenant’s request, but some advocates say the measure doesn’t do enough to protect renters at risk of eviction.
Pursue ALOHA housing strategy
Bold moves are needed to tackle Hawaiʻi’s entrenched affordable housing problem.
Legislature considers increasing minimum wage amid pandemic
Advocates argue that raising the minimum wage will not only help workers make ends meet, but also stimulate the local economy.
$12 minimum wage hike clears key Senate committees
In recent years there’s been increasing support from the state’s leading lawmakers and Democratic Party to pay workers a living wage, but the gap between that figure and what lawmakers have been willing to pass remains wide.
Minimum wage hike up to timing
Hawaiʻi’s high cost of living, makes a minimum wage increase vital for low-income workers, including many who have been on the pandemic’s front lines.
‘Bold’ plan to develop leasehold condos on state land renewed
The biggest drawback identified in the analysis is that using public land for leasehold housing is controversial.
Oʻahu affordable housing could include $1M homes under state guidelines; critics say that’s ‘out of whack’
Three factors—household income, family size and interest rates—are mainly used to compile annual housing affordability tables.
DOE improves free school breakfast program during pandemic
Hawaiʻi Appleseed has monitored the ranking for years, and has been working with the DOE to improve those numbers.
With no signs of housing prices cooling off, advocates push for government aid
Housing advocates want to change how we view housing. Instead of an investment, it should be seen as a necessity.
Sugary drink taxes can dismantle systemic inequities by giving back to communities
When funds are reinvested back into the most impacted communities, these taxes help prevent future harm, and give people from those communities a better shot at succeeding and thriving.
Hawaiʻi ranks 50th in low-income children participating in national school breakfast program
Some 25,559 low-income Hawaiʻi children participated in the School Breakfast Program during the 2019–2020 school year—or about 40 percent of those eligible.
Hawaiʻi legislators could boost minimum wage to $12 next year
A bill to raise Hawaiʻi’s minimum wage to $12 passed unanimously out of its first committee Monday, with more than 180 individuals and groups testifying in favor, most saying it should be much higher.