How the ‘Build Back Better’ plan saves money and lives
The answer lies in an expansion of the strategy that held the line against poverty in 2020 and that helped America out of the Great Depression.
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.
Hawaiʻi weighs measures to curb Airbnb
Sky-high housing prices and limited land make the negative impact of short-term rentals in Hawaiʻi especially acute. Regulatory measures may provide some relief.
Top 10 cities where vacation rentals rake in the most cash
The short-term rental business has experienced 97% growth in America’s 100 largest cities over the past three years, totaling more than 360,000 active rentals.
Short-term rental regulation advances at Honolulu Hale
On Wednesday, the Honolulu City Council held a public hearing on the latest proposals to rein in Oʻahu’s vacation accommodations, like those rented on Airbnb.
Business Report: New figures on Hawaiʻi’s minimum wage
The report finds that low-wage workers spend most of their increased income back into the local economy, supporting businesses and boosting economic activity.
Minimum wage increase could help over 200,000 workers, report says
The Hawaiʻi Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice analyzed the demographics of workers who could be impacted by an increase.
State must lead on housing crisis
The failure to deal with the housing shortage in any meaningful way has led to Hawaiʻi’s highest per-capita homelessness rate in the nation.
Right moves on vacation rentals
It’s encouraging that the Honolulu City Council Planning Committee put forward a bill that aims to rein in the vacation rental industry’s presence here.
Short-term vacation rentals on Oʻahu could soon be regulated
A 2018 report from Hawaiʻi Appleseed stated more than 80 percent of short term vacation rentals in Hawaiʻi are not owner-occupied.
Advocates urge larger minimum wage hike
The Senate Committee on Labor will hold a public hearing today regarding a bill that would increase minimum wage rates throughout the state.
A grand bargain on vacation rentals
The Honolulu City Council will begin a historic discussion to resolve the frictions fueled by the spectacular expansion of illegal short-term rentals on Oʻahu.
WAM sends minimum wage bill to Senate
The Senate’s Ways and Means committee passed Senate Bill 789 on Monday, Feb. 25, 2019, setting it up for a final vote on the Senate floor.
Hawaiʻi ranks last in participation rate for school breakfast programs
Hawaiʻi's high poverty rate means ensuring more students have access to healthy meals is imperative.
Hawaiʻi in last place for school breakfast
Fewer than 40 low-income children in Hawaiʻi ate school breakfast for every 100 that received free or reduced-price school lunch last year.
More kids need school breakfast
Fewer than 4 in 10 low-income students who eat school lunch are also eating school breakfast in our state.
Raise the minimum wage to at least $15 an hour
In a state that has one of the highest costs of living and lowest unemployment rates, it’s time for lawmakers to put things back in balance for workers.
City council debates fate of Oʻahu's short term rentals
The council planning committee heard seven bills that would drastically change the fees, fines and enforcement on thousands of Oʻahu short-term rentals.
Addicted to Airbnb: Hawaiʻi’s tourism economy depends on illegal vacation rentals
While calls for a crackdown on short-term rentals grow louder, their rapid expansion accounts for a big chunk of the recent growth in the state’s largest industry.
Is housing sacrificed to attract more tourists?
One gets little sense that there is a plan behind Hawaiʻi’s tourism growth beyond sustaining it.