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
Hawai'i Appleseed Blog
The Hawai'i Appleseed Blog, published by the Hawai‘i Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice, focuses on economic justice and public policy issues affecting Hawai‘i residents. It covers topics such as state tax policy and its impact on public services, housing affordability and deed restrictions, food security and SNAP program challenges, tax loopholes benefiting the wealthy, and public transit access for youth. The blog analyzes how legislation and policy changes influence economic inequality, social safety nets, and community well-being in Hawai‘i, advocating for equitable reforms that support low- and middle-income families and promote sustainable local economies.
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Latest from Hawai'i Appleseed Blog
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.…
Summer streets pilot, e-bike rules headline Hawaiʻi’s modest transportation wins
The 2026 legislative session left transportation equity advocates with some bruises. Priorities such as Keiki Ride Free, Pedestrian Head Start and jaywalking reform didn’t cross the finish line this year. But a session isn’t defined solely by its failures. And we…
Millionaire’s taxes are having a moment: Here’s why that’s good for all of us
By Will White
You’ve probably heard the phrase “tax the rich” thrown around. But lately, something real is happening. States across the country—Maine, Washington, Massachusetts, and even right here in Hawaiʻi—are starting to ask their wealthiest residents to pay a little more.It’s not…
Highlights from House Bill 1800: the state supplemental budget bill
By Devin Thomas
At Hawaiʻi Appleseed, we believe that a budget is more than a spreadsheet: it is a statement of our collective values. Every dollar allocated—or withheld—speaks volumes about who we prioritize as a state.Do we invest in public healthcare for those…
When disaster strikes, who feeds us?
Here is a truth we cannot look away from: The people who grow our food, harvest it, and put it on our tables are going hungry themselves.Nationally, food system workers are roughly two and a half times more likely to…
Moving toward a future where transit works for everyone
More than halfway through the 2026 legislative session, several key measures aimed at expanding transit access have failed to advance. Despite strong public support and a clear alignment with the state’s climate mandates, bills designed to make transit more affordable…
A fair share for Hawaiʻi's future: Why we need to modernize the conveyance tax
By Devin Thomas
At the heart of Hawaiʻi’s identity is a promise we make to one another and to generations yet to come: that these islands will remain a place where our keiki can afford to live, where our kūpuna can age with…
Pilina builders are ready to lead their community
Access to reliable, safe, and affordable transportation is the thread that connects us to everything that matters: our jobs, our schools, our doctors, and our loved ones. When that thread frays—when bus stops are unsafe, when sidewalks disappear, when rail…