New report warns of insurance crisis, charts path for equitable resilience in face of climate disasters
The analysis, “Who Pays for Climate Disasters?,” reveals a system in retreat, leaving residents vulnerable as private insurers abandon markets and shift costs to the public.
Hawaiʻi Appleseed selected for national Mobility, Access, and Transportation Insecurity (MATI) program
Hawaiʻi Appleseed’s selected project will improve pedestrian safety and transit lighting for women and families in Waipahu and ʻEwa.
New report shows how outdated parking mandates inflate Hawaiʻi housing costs
A new research report from Hawaiʻi Appleseed reveals that parking mandates are adding tens of thousands of dollars to the cost of construction of new homes on Oʻahu.
Hawaiʻi Appleseed releases 2025–26 state budget primer and legislative recap
Together, these documents tell the story of how Hawaiʻi invests in its communities, analyzing the most recent legislative session and the budget that emerged from it.
Four Hawaiʻi nonprofits receive critical investment from national anti-hunger organization as SNAP cuts loom
These investments will help power Hawaiʻi advocates fighting for policy-based solutions designed to break the cycle of hunger and strengthen food security for future generations.
Community coalition celebrates passage of school meal expansion bill
The Hawaiʻi State Legislature has approved Senate Bill 1300, which will expand free school meal access to keiki in the ALICE population over the next two school years.
Hawaiʻi Appleseed welcomes Will White as its new Executive Director
White brings extensive experience in advocacy, policy, and community engagement to the role.
State legislature must do more to protect Hawaiʻi’s vulnerable, struggling renters
Our existing statutes don’t do nearly enough to keep renters stable in an unstable housing market; yet, year after year, the legislature has punted the issue down the road.
“Beyond the Ticket” report imagines traffic enforcement reforms to reduce harm
Hawaiʻi comes down hard on minor traffic violations that pose little to no threat to the public; this punitive approach does little to advance public safety, harming struggling communities instead.
Community forum will bolster political will behind Universal Free School Meals
Free School Meals 4 All: A Community Forum will take place Sat., March 15 from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. at McKinley High School auditorium.
Recent state tax cuts leave many struggling families behind, in need of more help
Tax credits can help round out relief efforts at low cost to the state by targeting assistance only to the families that need additional support.
Hawaiʻi poised to offer nutrition support services to Medicaid patients
With approval of Hawaiʻi’s Section 1115 Medicaid Demonstration Waiver, community-based food and nutrition organizations can soon begin to offer healthy food as medicine.
New policy report calls for major shift in Hawai‘i’s transportation spending to address unmet mobility needs, traffic congestion and emissions
Over the last 5 years, 66.3 percent of the state’s transportation budget has gone toward projects that increase vehicle capacity, while only 1.5 percent has gone to reducing vehicle travel.
Hawaiʻi Appleseed releases 2024 report exploring an Empty Homes Tax to address Honolulu’s housing crisis
Honolulu's severe housing crisis is being exacerbated by a growing trend of vacant homes purchased as investments by non-residents. To reverse this trend, Hawaiʻi Appleseed recommends a flat tax of 3–5 percent on empty homes.
Hawaiʻi Appleseed launches 20 year anniversary giving campaign
The nonprofit hopes to raise $100,000 from individual and corporate donors by December 31.
Hawaiʻi Appleseed releases 2024 edition of its Budget Primer product
The biennial budget analysis product is a core service provided by Appleseed researchers.
Estate tax giveaway HB2653 would further concentrate wealth, drive inequality
New data-driven policy brief from Hawaiʻi Appleseed aims to educate lawmakers on the true nature of the policy proposal contained in this 2024 bill.
Freedom to Walk: the high cost of jaywalking enforcement in Hawaiʻi
Enforcement of jaywalking laws is costing taxpayers money while doing nothing to prevent pedestrian traffic deaths; we need a paradigm shift in our thinking about who streets are for.
Hawaiʻi’s conveyance tax can be an effective tool to address our housing crisis
Hawaiʻi lawmakers have an opportunity to tailor the sales tax on real property so that it reinvests nonresident wealth into our island communities through affordable housing development.
New report calls upon the state to join a growing national movement and provide free meals to all Hawaiʻi public school students
Extending free meals to all public school students would cost about $25 million per year—about 1 percent of the DOE’s operating budget.