Hawaiʻi Appleseed launches interactive economic justice dashboard to drive data-informed advocacy
HONOLULU, Hawaiʻi — Hawaiʻi Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice today announced the public release of its Economic Justice Data Dashboard, a powerful new online tool designed to empower policymakers, advocates, and community members with accessible, localized data on critical well-being metrics across the islands.
The dashboard provides a clear, visual snapshot of how communities at the state, county, and legislative district levels are performing across interconnected areas of economic security, including the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) rate, SNAP participation, the percentage of cost-burdened renters, and access to tax credits for working families. By compiling this data in one place, the tool illuminates the stark disparities and unmet needs that exist between different regions of Hawaiʻi.
“Good policy is founded on good data,” said Will White, Executive Director of Hawaiʻi Appleseed. “We built this dashboard to put clear, digestible information directly into the hands of the public, so everyone can see the challenges their neighbors face and advocate effectively for solutions. Our goal is to ensure all of Hawaiʻi’s families have the basic necessities—adequate food, housing, education, and healthcare—they need to thrive.”
Key Features of the Policy Indicators Dashboard
Comprehensive, Interconnected Data: Unlike single-issue tools, this dashboard integrates key indicators across food security, housing, transportation, and economic security to show how these issues are related.
Hyper-Local Insights: Users can explore data by specific state House or Senate district, county, or for the entire state.
Printable Community Factsheets: Each geographic area has a dedicated factsheet, serving as an essential reference for understanding local community characteristics and advocating for targeted solutions.
User-Friendly Design: Built with the public in mind, the interface allows users to select a geography and variable from dropdown menus to generate immediate visualizations.
“The map makes it undeniably clear that resource disparities are driving unequal outcomes across our state,” said Devin Thomas, Director of Tax & Budget policy at Hawaiʻi Appleseed. “This isn’t just numbers on a screen—it’s a picture of our communities. We see this as a living resource and will continue to add new data and analysis on the root causes of these disparities.”
“Behind every data point on this dashboard is a family making impossible choices between rent, groceries, and childcare,” added Genevieve Mumma, Food Policy Analyst at Hawaiʻi Appleseed. “This tool gives a voice to their struggles, transforming abstract statistics into the undeniable story of why our communities need targeted, compassionate policy solutions.”
The dashboard utilizes the latest U.S. Census American Community Survey data, cross-referenced with official legislative district maps, to ensure accuracy. Hawaii Appleseed welcomes feedback and questions from the public to continue refining this resource.
