Last year’s legislative session brought real progress on one of Hawaiʻi’s most persistent challenges: keiki hunger. With support from the Governor, First Lady, key lawmakers, and community leaders, the state expanded free school meal eligibility to many families earning up
Hawai‘i Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice
The Hawai‘i Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice is an organization focused on addressing economic and social justice issues in Hawai‘i. It publishes analyses and advocacy content related to public policy, taxation, housing, food security, and transportation, emphasizing the impacts of legislation and programs on low- and middle-income residents. The Center highlights disparities in tax policy, challenges in affordable housing, the importance of social safety nets like SNAP, and initiatives to improve public transit access for youth. Its work aims to inform and influence policies that promote equitable economic opportunities and support for vulnerable populations in Hawai‘i.
Latest from Hawai‘i Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice - Page 2
Giving pedestrians a head start in 2026
By Abbey Seitz
As pedestrian fatalities and injuries are on the rise in Hawaiʻi, the state must invest in improvements to make it easier and safer for people to walk.For too long, our transportation system has prioritized the speed and convenience of cars…
The great Skyline adventure: Hawaiʻi Appleseed tests the walkability of areas around rail stops
By Arjuna Heim
The first weekend of the new year the Hawaii Appleseed team went on a Honolulu Skyline field trip to understand in real time the land-use around our rail stations. Our team met at the first station—East Kapolei—and traveled eastward getting…
Taking policy local: how to shape county action on food security
When discussing food security, the spotlight usually lands on federal programs like SNAP. But here in Hawaiʻi, counties have the potential to be immediate players in determining whether families can reliably access food. And with traditional food assistance programs at…
Hawaiʻi’s costly tax shift: How a billion-dollar cut threatens public services
By Devin Thomas
Hawaiʻi is built on a foundation of shared responsibility—the understanding that our collective well-being depends on our care for one another and our shared resources. It’s the value that sustains our public schools, keeps our communities healthy, and provides a…
Ditch the equity cap: How to make “locals-only” housing actually work
By Arjuna Heim
Over the past year, deed-restrictions—legally binding limits on property use—have gained traction as a way to address the housing crisis by creating “locals only” housing markets. This practical tool would allow the state and countries to sustain programs…
A turning point for SNAP: Strengthening local supports for Hawaiʻi households
Following some of the largest cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in history, it has become increasingly clear that the once reliable social safety net is no longer as stable as it once was. The recent federal shutdown has…
Hawaiʻi’s two-tier tax system: How the rich use a glaring loophole to pay less
By Devin Thomas
In Hawaiʻi, how you earn your money can determine how much tax you pay. This system is rigged in favor of the wealthiest among us. While teachers, nurses and service workers pay income tax on every dollar they earn, the…
Youth Ride Free: Building a more connected Hawaiʻi
By Abbey Seitz
Every young person in Hawaiʻi deserves the freedom to move—to get to school, sports, after-school programs, jobs, and time with friends—without having to worry about the cost of a bus pass. That’s the vision driving advocates to work toward fare-free…
Implementing a just cause eviction framework would benefit both tenants and landlords in Hawaiʻi
By Susan Le
Recent local headlines show the volatility and turmoil that both landlords and tenants can experience within the pressure of Hawaiʻi’s tight rental housing market.On one side, landlords have shared cases of costly and prolonged battles to remove tenants who refuse…