When 57 percent of Hawaiʻi renters spend over 30 percent of their income on housing—and 29 percent spend more than half—the instinct to reach for a simple, immediate solution is understandable. Rent regulation, or rent control, seems like an easy
Latest from Hawai'i Appleseed Blog
The billionaire tax California is debating—and why Hawaiʻi should pay attention
At a moment when Hawaiʻi desperately needs more revenue, California’s proposal to tax billionaire assets offers a model for making the ultra-wealthy pay their fair share.Hawaiʻi is currently dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Lala, and early estimates suggest a
The surveillance grocery store: How algorithms target Hawaiʻi consumers
“For an average family of four, these algorithmic markups translated to an extra $1,200 a year in grocery costs.”
For generations, the price on the retail shelf has been the price you pay—unchanging whether you’re a CEO, a student, or
Behind the scenes: How Policy in Perspective tells the story of a legislative session
Every year, Hawaiʻi Appleseed releases Policy in Perspective, our annual report on the legislative session’s wins, losses, and lessons learned. But what you might not know is that the report doesn’t appear out of thin air—it’s built from a year’s
Sneak peek: Improving women’s mobility and access in ʻEwa and Waipahu
At Hawaiʻi Appleseed, we believe that where you live should never determine how far you can go. That’s why we’re currently in Phase II of our Mobility, Access and Transportation Insecurity (MATI) project—a community-centered research effort focused on understanding the
When safety becomes exclusion: The hidden cost of building codes
We tend to think of building codes as settled, technical matters best left to engineers and inspectors: they exist to keep buildings from burning down and falling over. For the most part, that is exactly what they do. But a
Under pressure: Hawaiʻi’s budget troubles demand action
The 2026 legislative session is now in the rearview mirror. Some progress was made toward a fair tax system that collects more revenue from those at the top to fund our collective needs, but it won’t be enough to fill
Progress on the plate: Food access wins from this session—and the work still ahead
As affordability and Hawaiʻi’s high cost of living becomes an increasingly urgent point of discussion for residents across the islands, legislators are increasingly recognizing that food security is central to the well-being of our communities.During the 2026 legislative session, the
Remembering Victor Geminiani
Victor Geminiani—the leading co-founder of the organization that became the Hawaiʻi Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice—spent more than 50 years using the law on behalf of those too often overlooked in Hawaiʻi and on the continent. A relentless
Safe streets for all: Why Hawaiʻi can’t wait another year for pedestrian safety progress
Hawaiʻi’s pedestrians are in crisis. Fatalities are rising, our most dangerous intersections remain unfixed, and the people most affected—keiki, kūpuna, people with disabilities, and low-income families who walk out of necessity—continue to bear the heaviest burden.This legislative session brought hope.