Jolanie Martinez 1/25/22 Jolanie Martinez 1/25/22

As bill to raise minimum wage to $18 moves forward, some say hike could hurt businesses

According to a report by the National Low Income Housing Coalition, a minimum wage worker in Hawaiʻi would have to work 114 hours just to afford an apartment.

Kevin Dayton 1/16/22 Kevin Dayton 1/16/22

Hawaiʻi legislature 2022: smart spending could help big problems

The legislature has money available for almost any policy initiative imaginable, and every member of the house and senate is up for reelection.

Noe Tanigawa 12/3/21 Noe Tanigawa 12/3/21

Aloha Friday Conversation: Seizing affordable housing opportunities in Hawaiʻi

This episode of "The Conversation" is packed with discussions about Hawaiʻi's housing and homelessness crisis and policy solutions advocates are working to implement at the state and county level.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.