Hawai‘i Appleseed
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hiappleseed.bsky.social
Hawai‘i Appleseed
@hiappleseed.bsky.social
210 followers 260 following 140 posts
Working to change systems that perpetuate inequality to give everyone in Hawai‘i genuine opportunities to achieve economic security. Data analysis, policy advocacy, strategic communications, coalition-building.

More at hiappleseed.org
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hiappleseed.bsky.social
Hawai‘i Appleseed @hiappleseed.bsky.social · Nov 19
We’re a Honolulu-based 501c3 nonprofit working to change public policy primarily around:

✅ Affordable Housing
✅ Food Equity
✅ Taxes & the State Budget
✅ Transportation Equity
✅ Wages & Labor Rights

+ how each intersects w/ public health and economic security.

#PeopleFirst policy is the goal.
hiappleseed.bsky.social
While teachers, nurses and service workers pay income tax on every dollar they earn, the wealthy can shield a large portion of their profits thanks to a special tax break on capital gains.

#fundourfuture #taxtherich #taxfairness #taxreform #workingfamilies #hawaii

hiappleseed.org/blog/hawaii-...
Hawaii’s two-tier tax system: How the rich use a glaring loophole to pay less — Hawaiʻi Appleseed
While teachers, nurses and service workers pay income tax on every dollar they earn, the wealthy can shield a large portion of their profits thanks to a special tax break on capital gains.
hiappleseed.org
November 12, 2025 at 11:41 PM
Reposted by Hawai‘i Appleseed
donmoyn.bsky.social
SNAP surveys SNAP users. Already half of them are saying they are skipping meals.
Families are making impossible trade-offs 51% of respondents have already skipped meals 40% say they have had to buy cheaper or lower-quality food Nearly 40% are delaying bills to put food on the table, while 42% are relying on help from family and friends 80% say they have not been able to prepare for the possibility of another delayed deposit 49% expect to visit a food pantry next week – up seven percentage points from those who planned to visit in the first days of November
November 6, 2025 at 9:21 PM
hiappleseed.bsky.social
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.

#YouthRideFree #Mobility #PublicTransit #PublicHealth #ClimateJustice #Hawaii

hiappleseed.org/blog/youth-r...
Youth Ride Free: Building a more connected Hawaii — Hawaiʻi Appleseed
By removing financial barriers to public transit, Hawaii can empower young people to participate fully in their communities, while easing family costs and supporting climate goals.
hiappleseed.org
November 4, 2025 at 7:57 PM
hiappleseed.bsky.social
Small businesses in low-income, high-poverty neighborhoods often get 50% or more of their monthly revenue from #SNAP. Staff are now at risk of losing their jobs. Stores are unable to restock. In worst case scenarios, they risk closing their doors forever.

#GovShutdown

www.kitv.com/news/busines...
Mom-and-pop stores losing EBT customers struggle to survive
The partial government shutdown is not just affecting people trying to put food on the table, but food retailers that could lose $60 million in monthly revenue.
www.kitv.com
October 29, 2025 at 6:32 PM
hiappleseed.bsky.social
Hawaiʻi Appleseed’s selected project will improve pedestrian safety and transit lighting for women and families in Waipahu and ʻEwa.

#transportation #transit #mobility #publicsafety #infrastructure #publictransit #community #hawaii #oahu

hiappleseed.org/press-releas...
Hawaii Appleseed selected for national Mobility, Access, and Transportation Insecurity (MATI) program — Hawaiʻi Appleseed
Hawaii Appleseed’s selected project will improve pedestrian safety and transit lighting for women and families in Waipahu and Ewa.
hiappleseed.org
October 28, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Reposted by Hawai‘i Appleseed
centeronbudget.bsky.social
Instead, it appears to be choosing not to use them in an effort to gain political advantage, leaving millions of families across the country to suffer as a result. www.cbpp.org/press/statem...
Trump Administration Is Legally Required to Provide SNAP in Shutdown, Contrary to Its Claims
Secretary Rollins’ claim that the Trump Administration is unable to deliver November SNAP benefits during a shutdown is unequivocally false. The Administration is legally required to use contingency r...
www.cbpp.org
October 24, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Reposted by Hawai‘i Appleseed
centeronbudget.bsky.social
As CBPP President @sharonparrott.bsky.social said yesterday, the Administration could have, and should have, taken steps weeks ago to be ready to use these funds, as they are legally required to do.
October 24, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Reposted by Hawai‘i Appleseed
centeronbudget.bsky.social
That’s right, USDA’s shutdown plan dated September 30, 2025, seems to be gone from their website. But, you can find that excerpt on page 15 of the plan, here: web.archive.org/web/20251001....
web.archive.org
October 24, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Reposted by Hawai‘i Appleseed
centeronbudget.bsky.social
Punchbowl reports “White House officials determined they do not have the authority” to use contingency reserves —billions of $ that Congress provided for use when SNAP funding is inadequate— to fund Nov. SNAP benefits. But, that’s not what USDA’s now-deleted shutdown plan says:
October 24, 2025 at 6:50 PM
hiappleseed.bsky.social
“A new national report is raising the alarm about a sharp rise in Hawai‘i children living in poverty. The report by the @annieecaseyfdn.bsky.social shows child poverty has risen by one-third since the pandemic.”

#poverty #childtaxcredit #costofliving

www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2025/10/22/n...
New report shows significant increase in keiki poverty in Hawaii
The increase amounts to about 8,000 more children now living in poverty.
www.hawaiinewsnow.com
October 23, 2025 at 1:14 AM
hiappleseed.bsky.social
A new research report from Hawaiʻi Appleseed reveals that parking mandates are adding tens of thousands of dollars to the cost of construction of new homes on Oʻahu.

#ParkingMandates #Parking #Affordability #HousingCosts #HousingCrisis #AffordableHousing #Honolulu

hiappleseed.org/press-releas...
Outdated parking mandates inflate Hawaiʻi housing costs — Hawaiʻi Appleseed
A new research report reveals that parking mandates are adding tens of thousands of dollars to the cost of construction of new homes on Oahu.
hiappleseed.org
October 21, 2025 at 8:07 PM
Reposted by Hawai‘i Appleseed
hiappleseed.bsky.social
“A budget is the single most honest expression of a government’s priorities. It shows us, in black and white, whether we are investing in our keiki’s futures or in maintaining a status quo that benefits only the privileged few.”

Essay from our executive director.

www.civilbeat.org/2025/10/why-...
Why Understanding Hawaiʻi's Budget Is An Important Civic Duty
An engaged and informed public is the most powerful tool for change we have.
https://www.civilbeat.org/2025/10/why-understanding-hawaiʻis-budget-is-an-important-civic-duty/
October 6, 2025 at 10:35 PM
hiappleseed.bsky.social
Already facing resource shortages, new federal budget cuts call into question the very future of the Census Bureau itself.

#Census #Government #FederalCuts #FederalBudget #Budget #RacialEquity #SocialJustice #EconomicJustice #Data #DataDriven #FundOurFuture

hiappleseed.org/blog/census-...
Our Census Bureau is understaffed and underfunded—the quality of its data is suffering — Hawaiʻi Appleseed
Already facing resource shortages, new federal budget cuts call into question the very future of the Census Bureau itself.
hiappleseed.org
October 8, 2025 at 8:00 PM
hiappleseed.bsky.social
Even within these new constraints, Hawaiʻi can innovate by combining or re-imagining existing programs to expand access and strengthen support for our seniors.

#FoodSecurity #FoodEquity #Hunger #SeniorHunger #SNAP #HR1cuts #Hawaii #LocalSolutions

hiappleseed.org/blog/how-fed...
Kupuna at risk: How federal changes to SNAP impact older adults in Hawaii — Hawaiʻi Appleseed
Even within these new constraints, Hawaii can innovate by combining or re-imagining existing programs to expand access and strengthen support for our seniors.
hiappleseed.org
October 6, 2025 at 11:36 PM
hiappleseed.bsky.social
“A budget is the single most honest expression of a government’s priorities. It shows us, in black and white, whether we are investing in our keiki’s futures or in maintaining a status quo that benefits only the privileged few.”

Essay from our executive director.

www.civilbeat.org/2025/10/why-...
Why Understanding Hawaiʻi's Budget Is An Important Civic Duty
An engaged and informed public is the most powerful tool for change we have.
https://www.civilbeat.org/2025/10/why-understanding-hawaiʻis-budget-is-an-important-civic-duty/
October 6, 2025 at 10:35 PM
Reposted by Hawai‘i Appleseed
evictionlab.bsky.social
“To make housing affordable, counties need to get out of their own way. The current path guarantees ever-higher costs.”

hiappleseed.org/blog/rethink...

via @hiappleseed.bsky.social

#housing+ #urbanism+ #urbanism
A path to more affordable housing: Rethinking county rules — Hawaiʻi Appleseed
County governments control what gets built through zoning, and through lengthy discretionary approvals. Both levers have historically been used to restrict supply.
hiappleseed.org
October 3, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Reposted by Hawai‘i Appleseed
hiappleseed.bsky.social
More than 13,000 people in Hawaiʻi could lose some or all of their monthly benefits once expanded work requirements kick in. The ripple effects will extend throughout Hawaiʻi’s economy. This funding will help us build a more equitable and resilient food system.

hiappleseed.org/in-the-news/...
Four Hawaii nonprofits receive investments as SNAP cuts loom — Hawaiʻi Appleseed
More than 13,000 people in Hawaii could lose some or all of their benefits each month once expanded work requirements are implemented.
hiappleseed.org
September 8, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Reposted by Hawai‘i Appleseed
hiappleseed.bsky.social
County governments control what gets built through zoning, and through lengthy discretionary approvals. Both levers have historically been used to restrict supply.

#AffordableHousing #Housing #HousingCosts #CostOfLiving #Zoning #HousingPolicy #CountyPolicy #Hawaii

hiappleseed.org/blog/rethink...
A path to more affordable housing: Rethinking county rules — Hawaiʻi Appleseed
County governments control what gets built through zoning, and through lengthy discretionary approvals. Both levers have historically been used to restrict supply.
hiappleseed.org
October 1, 2025 at 7:37 PM
hiappleseed.bsky.social
County governments control what gets built through zoning, and through lengthy discretionary approvals. Both levers have historically been used to restrict supply.

#AffordableHousing #Housing #HousingCosts #CostOfLiving #Zoning #HousingPolicy #CountyPolicy #Hawaii

hiappleseed.org/blog/rethink...
A path to more affordable housing: Rethinking county rules — Hawaiʻi Appleseed
County governments control what gets built through zoning, and through lengthy discretionary approvals. Both levers have historically been used to restrict supply.
hiappleseed.org
October 1, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Reposted by Hawai‘i Appleseed
hiappleseed.bsky.social
Together, Policy in Perspective 2025 and the Hawaiʻi Budget Primer FY2025–26 provide a compelling—and sometimes sobering—look at how Hawai‘i invests, and often under-invests, in its communities.

#budget #legislature #policy #hawaii #fundourfuture

hiappleseed.org/blog/transfo...
Transformative change meets budget realities—a central lawmaking tension plays out in new reports — Hawaiʻi Appleseed
Policy in Perspective 2025 and the Hawaii Budget Primer FY2025–26 provide a compelling—and sometimes sobering—look at how Hawaii invests, and often under-invests, in its communities.
hiappleseed.org
September 25, 2025 at 8:12 PM
hiappleseed.bsky.social
Together, Policy in Perspective 2025 and the Hawaiʻi Budget Primer FY2025–26 provide a compelling—and sometimes sobering—look at how Hawai‘i invests, and often under-invests, in its communities.

#budget #legislature #policy #hawaii #fundourfuture

hiappleseed.org/blog/transfo...
Transformative change meets budget realities—a central lawmaking tension plays out in new reports — Hawaiʻi Appleseed
Policy in Perspective 2025 and the Hawaii Budget Primer FY2025–26 provide a compelling—and sometimes sobering—look at how Hawaii invests, and often under-invests, in its communities.
hiappleseed.org
September 25, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Reposted by Hawai‘i Appleseed
hiappleseed.bsky.social
Can Hawaiʻi afford to cut the grocery tax?

Any proposal to reduce or remove the GET on food must be paired with a credible plan for replacing the revenue. It’s a challenge—but also an opportunity to build a fairer and more sustainable system.

#FoodTax #CostOfLiving

hiappleseed.org/blog/can-haw...
Can Hawaii afford to cut the grocery tax? — Hawaiʻi Appleseed
Any proposal to reduce or remove the GET on food must be paired with a credible plan for replacing the revenue. It’s a challenge, but also an opportunity to build a fairer and more sustainable system.
hiappleseed.org
September 18, 2025 at 12:28 AM
hiappleseed.bsky.social
Can Hawaiʻi afford to cut the grocery tax?

Any proposal to reduce or remove the GET on food must be paired with a credible plan for replacing the revenue. It’s a challenge—but also an opportunity to build a fairer and more sustainable system.

#FoodTax #CostOfLiving

hiappleseed.org/blog/can-haw...
Can Hawaii afford to cut the grocery tax? — Hawaiʻi Appleseed
Any proposal to reduce or remove the GET on food must be paired with a credible plan for replacing the revenue. It’s a challenge, but also an opportunity to build a fairer and more sustainable system.
hiappleseed.org
September 18, 2025 at 12:28 AM
Reposted by Hawai‘i Appleseed
hiappleseed.bsky.social
Increasing transit fares while household budgets are already stretched thin risks pushing out the very riders who rely on TheBus the most, while decreasing ridership and revenue.

#PublicTransit #Honolulu #CostOfLiving #Transportation #Mobility #Access #Equity

hiappleseed.org/blog/honolul...
Proposal to raise transit fares will hurt Oahu riders — Hawaiʻi Appleseed
Increasing transit fares while household budgets are already stretched thin risks pushing out the very riders who rely on TheBus the most while decreasing ridership and revenue.
hiappleseed.org
September 17, 2025 at 12:06 AM
hiappleseed.bsky.social
Increasing transit fares while household budgets are already stretched thin risks pushing out the very riders who rely on TheBus the most, while decreasing ridership and revenue.

#PublicTransit #Honolulu #CostOfLiving #Transportation #Mobility #Access #Equity

hiappleseed.org/blog/honolul...
Proposal to raise transit fares will hurt Oahu riders — Hawaiʻi Appleseed
Increasing transit fares while household budgets are already stretched thin risks pushing out the very riders who rely on TheBus the most while decreasing ridership and revenue.
hiappleseed.org
September 17, 2025 at 12:06 AM