Youth Ride Free: Building a more connected Hawaiʻi
By removing financial barriers to public transit, Hawaiʻi can empower young people to participate fully in their communities, while easing family costs and supporting climate goals.
Implementing a just cause eviction framework would benefit both tenants and landlords in Hawaiʻi
While Just Cause Eviction laws are often viewed primarily as a tenant protection, they’re really about establishing a clear, consistent set of rules to protect both landlords and tenants.
Transformative change meets budget realities—a central lawmaking tension plays out in two new reports
Policy in Perspective 2025 and the Hawaiʻi Budget Primer FY2025–26 provide a compelling—and sometimes sobering—look at how Hawaiʻi invests, and often under-invests, in its communities.
Powered by the people: How Hawaiʻi Appleseed’s community-first focus can create change—with your help
When we put people first, it means our policy proposals come from the community—which is essential to turning those proposals into law.
The chilling effect: How federal cuts and immigration crackdowns threaten food security in Hawaiʻi
The mega budget bill that Congress recently passed narrows who can access critical programs like SNAP and Medicaid, while fueling fear and confusion about who can safely apply for assistance in the wake of increased immigration enforcement.
Incoming federal tax cuts will heavily favor Hawaiʻi’s wealthiest residents
The State of Hawaiʻi has an obligation to shore up its revenue through tax policies that make the wealthiest among us pay their fair share.
For a healthier, happier Hawaiʻi, transportation spending must prioritize bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure
Investing in the Safe Routes to School fund is a critical step in transforming our transportation system to meet the needs of all residents—pedestrians, cyclists and drivers alike.
Hawaiʻi’s 2025 legislature focused on raising tax revenue to prepare for federal cuts
Assessing a proper tax rate on corporations and the wealthy will be necessary to produce a budget that can fund critical safety net programs and investments in our future.
Transformative housing bills went nowhere this legislative session, but small wins keep hope alive
With federal cuts looming and home prices still climbing, the stakes have never been higher. One thing is clear: Hawaiʻi’s families can’t afford another session of half-measures.
Building a better path to success for Hawaiʻiʻs Keiki
Hawaiʻi’s 2025 legislature boosts safe routes to school and student transportation.
Wins for food access and low-income families at the 2025 legislative session
While there’s still more work to be done, this year’s wins have laid the groundwork for a future in which food access is treated as a right, not a privilege.
Two truths in tension: Hawaiʻi’s housing crisis and the urgent need for anti-displacement measures
We should reject the false choice between growth and protection, we can do both. Anti-displacement policies like HB1325 ensure that, as we build for the future, we don’t abandon our present.
Proposed Trump tax cuts will overwhelmingly benefit the top 1 percent
As millions of Americans file their taxes this April, both the U.S. House and Senate have passed budget resolutions that open the pathway for a massive tax giveaway for the wealthiest people in the country.
As federal support fades, farm to families could fill the gap
Now, more than ever, investing in local food systems through programs like Farm to Families is a necessary strategy to build Hawaiʻi’s economic resilience and reduce food insecurity.
Implement strong eviction record sealing processes to protect Hawaiʻi renters
A single eviction filing—even one that doesn't result in actual eviction—can negatively impact renters for years. It's time for lawmakers to take decisive action to protect vulnerable tenants.
Hawaiʻi should close tax loopholes for multinational corporations
Multinational corporations make huge profits from the business activity they conduct in Hawaiʻi, while dodging the taxes they should be paying to support our state.
Expand the state’s e-bike rebate program to improve mobility options
Now is the time for the state to expand the electric bike and moped rebate program to lower household transportation costs, reduce vehicle costs, and increase resident’s physical activity.
Congress’ budget blueprint leaves Hawaiʻi’s working families behind
In effect, the budget blueprint aims to take food out of the mouths of hungry keiki, so that billionaires can pad their pockets even more on the way to the bank.
Invest in Safe Routes to School to improve pedestrian safety in Hawaiʻi
Federal funding freezes, requirements from the Navahine lawsuit settlement, and worsening traffic and its associated negative impacts—why state lawmakers shouldn't wait to invest in Safe Routes to School.
Marginal conveyance tax rates would advantage the majority of Hawaiʻi’s local homeowners
Hawaiʻi has some of the highest home prices in the nation, yet our current, flat conveyance tax structure fails to ensure that real estate market activity meaningfully contributes to affordable housing, infrastructure, and community investment.