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.
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.
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.
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.
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 households to suffer deep cuts to SNAP benefits; anti-hunger advocates urge lawmakers to address hunger cliff
The cliff is a result of Congress’ decision to end the federal emergency allotments that were implemented to reduce food insecurity and stimulate the economy for the duration of the pandemic.
Two local nonprofits receive $100,000 grant from Safeway and Safeway Foundation’s Nourishing Neighbors
Hawaiʻi Appleseed and Hawaiʻi Children’s Action Network are teaming up to ensure families with keiki can purchase enough food this summer.
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 nearly doubles capacity to 20 keiki feeding sites
On May 5, Kamaʻāina Kids will open 9 new sites, including one on Maui.
Community partnership expands to 11 sites serving free meals to 1,700 keiki on Oʻahu
Suppers being served in Kalihi and new sites in ʻAiea and Honolulu.
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.
Hawaiʻi drops to 51st in the nation for school breakfast participation
Even fewer low-income children in Hawaiʻi are starting their day with a healthy school breakfast.
Trump’s Public Charge rule could cost Hawaiʻi dearly
With the new Trump Administration Public Charge rule given the green light today by the U.S. Supreme Court, both Hawaiʻi’s economy and its hardworking immigrant families will suffer.
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.
Official poverty data obscures reality faced by Hawaiʻi residents
The more accurate Supplemental Poverty Measure ranks Hawaiʻi at 13th highest for poverty in the nation.
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.
Donations at Safeway in September will help end hunger
All throughout this month, when you make a donation to the Hunger Is campaign at Safeway stores throughout Hawaiʻi, your money will help us expand school breakfast participation in our schools.