Honolulu passes most progressive vacation rental regulation in the U.S.
After three decades of proliferation of illegal short-term rentals on Oʻahu, county administrators finally have—in Bill 89—the comprehensive tool kit needed to balance the needs of the tourism industry with the needs of the community.
Hawaiʻi working women, parents are chief beneficiaries of proposed minimum wage increase
New analysis sheds light on demographics of affected workers and effects on local economy.
Addressing the growing cost of Hawaiʻi’s public worker retirement commitments
Public pensions and other post-employment benefits in Hawaiʻi will take up an increasing portion of the state budget as baby boomer public employees prepare to enter retirement.
Charting a path toward balance between tourism and the needs of residents
A new report provides solutions for lawmakers to solve Hawaiʻi’s vacation rental problem.
New budget and policy resource comes at a critical time for Hawaiʻi
Uncertainty regarding federal funding makes it more important than ever that Hawaiʻi has the ability to make data-driven decisions on state tax and budget policy.
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.
Report documents the impacts of vacation rentals on Hawaiʻi’s housing supply and economy
Vacation rentals offer the possibility of extra income for some residents and additional tax revenue for the state, but many of the benefits go to nonresident investors.
Hawaiʻi Budget & Policy Center hires Beth Giesting as its first director
The Hawaiʻi Budget & Policy Center will have a special focus on state and county budget and tax policy, which profoundly affects how Hawaiʻi addresses issues of poverty and fairness.
Report examines the state of poverty in Hawaiʻi since the Great Recession
The state’s high cost of living and low wages has made recovery slow and painful for many families.
Half of Hawaiʻi’s residents are living paycheck-to-paycheck
An Appleseed-commissioned poll highlights the extent to which working families are now struggling to get by in Hawaiʻi.
Hawaiʻi families, businesses and economy would benefit greatly from state Earned Income Tax Credit
Now is the time for Hawaiʻi to invest in its residents and businesses by creating a state refundable EITC that puts dollars back into workers’ pockets and into the cash registers of local business.
Hawaiʻi’s affordable housing crisis is getting worse
Recommendations for policymakers on how to address our highest-in-the-nation housing costs and associated socioeconomic problems.