Anita Hofschneider 10/21/21 Anita Hofschneider 10/21/21

Biden’s spending bill could be a ‘game changer’ for housing in Hawaiʻi

The Build Back Better bill that the U.S. Senate is debating has the potential to make a huge dent in Hawaiʻi’s affordable housing needs, according to advocates.

Sophie Cocke 10/14/21 Sophie Cocke 10/14/21

Pandemic fuels spike in childhood obesity in Hawaiʻi

Nearly one in six children between the ages of 10 and 17 are obese in Hawaiʻi, marking a significant increase from four years ago and fueling concerns about the impact that COVID-19 restrictions and school closures have had on the health of the state’s youth.

Rick Daysog 10/13/21 Rick Daysog 10/13/21

Amid inflation fears, Hawaiʻi business owners and consumers brace for rising prices

Consumer prices nationwide reached their highest levels in a decade last month, potentially impacting local businesses and consumers.

Will Caron 9/27/21 Will Caron 9/27/21

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.

Casey Harlow 8/27/21 Casey Harlow 8/27/21

Fundraising campaign kicks off next week to help fight child hunger

An annual fundraising campaign kicks off next week to help fight child hunger and expand participation in free breakfast programs at public schools.

Deborah Zysman and Gavin Thornton 8/22/21 Deborah Zysman and Gavin Thornton 8/22/21

Invest in human infrastructure, not just roads and bridges

Reps. Ed Case and Kai Kahele have the opportunity to help Congress build back a more resilient and equitable economy.

Anita Hofschneider 7/26/21 Anita Hofschneider 7/26/21

Why are more people than ever receiving food stamps in Hawaiʻi?

A historically high enrollment in the food stamp program is part of a broader increase in the need for public services during the pandemic.

Sarah Kleiner, Taylor Johnston, Michael Casey 6/29/21 Sarah Kleiner, Taylor Johnston, Michael Casey 6/29/21

Rental assistance fell victim to politics, bureaucracy

Nationwide, state leaders set aside $2.6 billion to prop up struggling renters, but a year later more than 16 percent hasn’t made it to tenants or landlords.

Kevin Dayton and Blaze Lovell 5/2/21 Kevin Dayton and Blaze Lovell 5/2/21

A cautious legislature, locked in the capitol, played it safe

Critics hoped the pandemic would be the catalyst for significant changes to address longterm problems facing Hawaiʻi. But the budget shortfall dominated the 2021 session.

Audrey McAvoy 4/29/21 Audrey McAvoy 4/29/21

Hawaiʻi lawmakers finish session after huge federal aid boost

The pandemic wouldn’t have hurt nearly as much if Hawaiʻi residents were making wages that paid enough to cover their basic needs.

Eleni Avendaño 4/23/21 Eleni Avendaño 4/23/21

The pandemic has transformed how aid groups help elderly in need

Federal COVID-19 relief funds helped local groups coordinate outreach to better serve kupuna who were often isolated during the pandemic.

Gavin Thornton, Heather Lusk and Deborah Zysman 4/22/21 Gavin Thornton, Heather Lusk and Deborah Zysman 4/22/21

Lawmakers should pass tax bills to fix our upside-down tax system

Minimum wage earners should not be paying a higher percentage in taxes than those at the top.

Jeanné Kapela and Amy Perruso 4/19/21 Jeanné Kapela and Amy Perruso 4/19/21

Economic recovery should focus on working families

And Hawaiʻi’s lawmakers should pass legislation that supports workers’ well-being.

Eleni Avendaño 4/15/21 Eleni Avendaño 4/15/21

Hawaiʻi sees ‘startling’ increase in number of children facing hunger

Even as benefits programs expand and school meal programs shift, food insecurity is expected to continue to grow in the islands.

PBS Hawaiʻi 4/8/21 PBS Hawaiʻi 4/8/21

Should I stay or should I go? The lack of affordable housing in Hawaiʻi

The cost of living in Hawaiʻi continues to rise, most notably due to the lack of affordable housing. How do we find a feasible solution?

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.

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.

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.

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.