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.
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.
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.
Hawaiʻi’s tax system makes inequality worse, national study finds
Hawaiʻi lawmakers can improve the economic health of our communities by re-balancing the state’s upside-down tax code.
Hawaiʻi’s low wages relative to its cost of living put a serious strain on society, local economy
In a new report, Hawaiʻi Appleseed researchers demonstrate how chronically low wages have prevented Hawaiʻi’s working families from thriving, and outline the significant cost that poverty exacts from these families, from future generations, and from all of us.
Hawaiʻi's tenant-landlord mediation program kept hundreds housed amid pandemic fallout
Study aims to ascertain whether or not there are ways to increase housing stability by examining the temporary measures Hawaiʻi put into place in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hawaiʻi continues to fall behind on school breakfast
Only 4 in 10 low-income students is getting the benefits of school breakfast.
Donations at Safeway keep critical grab-and-go meal program going strong
During the month of September, donations at Hawaiʻi Safeway will help families struggling more than ever with hunger during the pandemic.
Hawaiʻi drops to 44th in the nation in children’s summer meal participation
Fewer than 1 in 11 keiki in free or reduced-price school lunch were reached by summer meals.
Community partnership serves free meals to keiki during school closure
During this unplanned school closure, three SFSP sponsors—YMCA Honolulu, Parents and Children Together, and Palama Settlement—are opening food sites in low-income areas on Oʻahu for keiki.
Report explores the multifaceted issue of senior hunger in Hawaiʻi
To effectively address senior hunger, policymakers need to adopt a holistic framework that understands the interplay between public health, economic justice and social capital.
Hawaiʻi Appleseed and PHOCUSED join forces
The merger of these social justice organizations is meant to forge a stronger connection between data-driven policy and impacted communities.
Andy Fisher, food justice author, to speak at UH Manoa
Fisher will discuss why wealthy countries like the U.S. continue to struggle with food insecurity.
Hawaiʻi Appleseed announces Victor Geminiani’s retirement
The 50-year advocate for the low-income community and founder of Hawaiʻi Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice will retire on August 31, 2019.
Fewer than one in 11 low-income keiki get free summer food
A national report released today shows Hawaiʻi has dropped to 43rd in the nation in providing free or reduced-price school lunches to keiki over the summer, but there is reason for optimism going forward.
Hawaiʻi’s ‘housing wage’ is highest in the nation
Renters need to work a total of 143 hours a week at minimum wage to afford a two-bedroom apartment.
Hawaiʻi in bottom 3 states for serving after-school suppers to low-income keiki
The state is foregoing more than $500,000 per year in federal meal reimbursements as a result.