The long struggle over taxing the rich
States’ taxes lean most heavily on poorer residents. These states are trying to change that.
Lawmakers agree on the need to address Hawaiʻi’s housing crisis—but not on how
The Legislature is considering a rash of vastly different strategies, while Gov. Josh Green's bills are struggling for traction.
A ‘wealth asset tax’ on Hawaiʻi’s richest residents advances in the legislature
The new tax would apply to people with a net worth of more than $20 million.
State tax bill could have major impact on Kauaʻi
A bill in the state Legislature could potentially mean more money in the pockets of working families on Kauaʻi.
An $18 minimum wage won’t raise prices dramatically
But a living wage increase will go a long way toward providing financial stability for many in Hawaiʻi.
How the ‘Build Back Better’ plan saves money and lives
The answer lies in an expansion of the strategy that held the line against poverty in 2020 and that helped America out of the Great Depression.
$12 minimum wage hike clears key senate committees
Supporters say the minimum wage should be increased to $17 an hour by 2026—a hike they say is also good for businesses because it boosts consumer spending.
AVR will open door to more young voters
Young people do care. We care about our future. We care about this planet. Yet, we do not fully participate in our democracy for the most pedestrian of reasons.
City council debates fate of Oʻahu's short term rentals
The council planning committee heard seven bills that could drastically change fees, fines and enforcement for thousands of Oahu's short-term rentals.
Planning commission rejects short-term rental regulations
The Hawaiʻi Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice supports the effort to regulate short-term rentals, but opposes this measure.
Don’t squander precious right to vote—get people to polls
Hawaiʻi has the lowest voter turnout of any state. Higher levels of civic engagement promote a better democracy as it is the most direct way to implement change.
Groups protest deadly Oʻahu police shootings
There have been four law-enforcement-involved shootings in less than two months on Oʻahu, three of which were fatal.
Kupuna Caregivers Program deserves full funding
Our state is the first to invest in the growing caregiving infrastructure.
Council panel supports homeless ‘safe zones’
The Honolulu City Council advanced a resolution to create “safe zones” while deferring a blanket sit-lie ban expansion that would have covered the whole island.
Islandwide sit-lie ban gets preliminary approval despite opposition
Three Honolulu City Council bills would further restrict where homeless people can be. Critics say that would worsen the problem.
Make sustainability top public priority
It’s high time our elected officials made sustainability the central tenet of all future policy decisions.
Rally touts criminal justice reform
The Community Alliance on Prisons organized a rally at the state Capitol on Wednesday to bring criminal justice reform issues to the attention of the legislature.