• Organization: Hawaiʻi Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice

• Reports To: Deputy Director

• Location: Honolulu, HI (with options for hybrid work)

• Position Type: Full-time, Salary ($80,000–$90,000)

• Submission Instructions: To apply, send a cover letter and resume to jobs@hiappleseed.org. Priority will be given to applications received before June 30, 2026, but may be extended.

About Hawaiʻi Appleseed

Hawaiʻi Appleseed (HA) is committed to a more socially and economically just Hawaiʻi, where everyone has genuine opportunities to achieve economic security and fulfill their potential. We change policies, systems, and narratives by conducting data analysis and research, educating policymakers and the public, engaging in collaborative problem solving and coalition building, and building community leaders.

The issues we work on—housing, food, fair wages and taxation, transportation, and racial and indigenous equity—are important because they ensure the people of Hawaiʻi have the basics necessary to thrive individually and collectively. Our public benefits work prioritizes ensuring people in Hawaiʻi have access to affordable, quality healthcare and enough healthy, culturally relevant food to live an active and healthy life. 

Position Overview

The Director of Food and Healthcare Equity leads HA’s research, administrative, and legislative advocacy to strengthen the state’s core public benefits stack. Operating at the intersection of economic justice, public health, and food security, this position focuses on maximizing access to foundational safety net programs for low-income Hawaiʻi residents, and maintaining HA’s reputation as a trusted source of food and healthcare policy expertise in Hawaiʻi.

The Director oversees a comprehensive portfolio that integrates nutrition assistance (SNAP, child/senior nutrition, emergency feeding), economic security (TANF), and healthcare access (Medicaid/Med-QUEST and affordable healthcare initiatives).

Key Responsibilities

Policy Analysis & Research

• Conduct and oversee the production of high-quality, data-driven research products, including policy briefs, reports, and fact sheets that illustrate the impact of safety net programs on economic justice in Hawaiʻi 

• Monitor and interpret federal, state, and county legislative, regulatory, and administrative changes affecting SNAP, TANF, and Medicaid/Med-QUEST.

• Identify administrative barriers at state and county agencies to eligibility and enrollment systems and develop actionable, systemic solutions.

Legislative & Administrative Advocacy

• Develop and execute HA’s annual legislative agenda regarding food equity, cash assistance, and healthcare affordability.

• Draft legislative testimony, lobby lawmakers, and cultivate champions for safety net programs within the Hawaiʻi State Legislature and four county councils

• Build and maintain collaborative working relationships with state and county agency officials (e.g., DHS, Med-QUEST Division) to advocate for administrative improvements and rule changes.

• Ensure Hawaiʻi’s voice is included in national conversations by engaging with the state’s congressional delegates, and weighing in on federal rule changes.

Partnership Development & Community Engagement

• Convene and participate in coalitions or working groups dedicated to anti-hunger, healthcare access, and poverty alleviation.

• Represent Hawaiʻi in national partnerships and advocacy groups to stay up-to-date on federal changes and national policy trends.

• Partner with grassroots organizations, community health centers, and impact-affected individuals to ensure policy priorities are grounded in the lived experiences of Hawaii's community.

• Serve as an organizational spokesperson on health, nutrition, and safety net policy with the media, funders, and public stakeholders.

Other Responsibilities 

• Working with HA communications staff, develop external-facing communications content including infographics, op-eds, social media content, and blog posts.

• Working with the Development Director, pursue funding that supports HA’s food and healthcare equity staff and agenda. This work includes: identifying new funding opportunities, assisting with writing grants and grant reports, building relationships with current and potential local and national funders, and providing oversight of HA’s budget and expenses for its food and healthcare equity work. 

• Working closely with HA's community engagement staff, develop and offer opportunities for meaningful engagement of community leaders in the legislative process and other initiatives.

The Director of Food and Healthcare Equity reports directly to the Deputy Director.

Position Qualifications

The right candidate will have the following strengths and qualifications:

• Excellent interpersonal skills and a strong desire and ability to build lasting relationships with all kinds of people

• Strong small-team management skills 

• Strong commitment to equity and inclusion and the mission to ensure that all Hawaiʻi residents have opportunities to thrive economically and socially

• Strong commitment to helping strengthen HA and its staff to effectively pursue HA’s mission and vision

• Knowledge of Hawaiʻi’s unique social, political, cultural, and systemic issues that affect policy and the well-being of marginalized communities

• Strong knowledge of food and healthcare policy and Hawai‘i’s local housing system

• Excellent research skills

• Excellent communication skills, both verbally and in writing

• Good computer skills

• Self-directed, while also being able to work well in teams and with coalition partners

Compensation and Benefits

This is a full-time, year-round position. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience, within the range of $80,000 to $90,000. The position also provides comprehensive benefits including health care, paid holidays and personal leave and a 401(k) plan.

Download a PDF of this position description.