HNN Staff 4/6/21 HNN Staff 4/6/21

Hawaiʻi Appleseed Center stresses importance of city’s rent relief program

After just four hours, the city's new rent relief program was suspended because so many people applied. The $114 million in federal money is for back and future rent and utilities.

Audrey McAvoy 3/23/21 Audrey McAvoy 3/23/21

Virus relief money plugs hole in proposed Hawaiʻi budget

Beth Giesting said she still needs to see more details of the House budget but she’s optimistic that Hawaiʻi won’t have to drastically cut spending as feared.

Star-Advertiser Editorial Board 3/17/21 Star-Advertiser Editorial Board 3/17/21

Practical goals for cash-poor city

Housing initiatives that receive taxpayer subsidies should limit rent prices to below-market rates for the location and preserve affordability for the long-term—preferably in perpetuity.

John Burnett 3/16/21 John Burnett 3/16/21

Bill would expand DA BUX food program

The measure is intended to provide low-income people easier access to healthier food choices and to help local farmers and ranchers.

Beth Giesting 3/16/21 Beth Giesting 3/16/21

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.

Nick Grube 3/10/21 Nick Grube 3/10/21

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.

Audrey McAvoy 3/9/21 Audrey McAvoy 3/9/21

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.

Kevin Dayton 3/5/21 Kevin Dayton 3/5/21

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.

Yoohyun Jung 3/5/21 Yoohyun Jung 3/5/21

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.

HNN Staff 3/4/21 HNN Staff 3/4/21

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.

WITN Channel 22 3/2/21 WITN Channel 22 3/2/21

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.

Beth Giesting 3/1/21 Beth Giesting 3/1/21

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.

Anita Hofschneider 2/26/21 Anita Hofschneider 2/26/21

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.

Star-Advertiser Editorial Board 2/24/21 Star-Advertiser Editorial Board 2/24/21

Pursue ALOHA housing strategy

Bold moves are needed to tackle Hawaiʻi’s entrenched affordable housing problem.

Casey Harlow 2/23/21 Casey Harlow 2/23/21

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.

Sophie Cocke 2/23/21 Sophie Cocke 2/23/21

$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.

Star-Advertiser Editorial Board 2/22/21 Star-Advertiser Editorial Board 2/22/21

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.