Hawai‘i Appleseed
LightNews LightNews
banner
hiappleseed.bsky.social
Hawai‘i Appleseed
@hiappleseed.bsky.social
210 followers 260 following 150 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
Posts Replies Media Videos
hiappleseed.bsky.social
The sentiment behind these cuts overlook a fundamental truth: immigrants are an asset to Hawaiʻi’s economy, not a liability. In 2018, Hawaiʻi’s immigrant population contributed $874.5 million in state and local taxes, $780.4 million toward Social Security, and $195.7 million toward Medicare.
A graphic showing the amounts (in millions of dollars) that immigrants contributed toward Hawai’i’s economy: In 2018, Hawaii's immigrant population contributed... $874.5 M In state and local taxes $780.4 M Toward Social Security $195.7 M Toward Medicare
August 22, 2025 at 12:00 AM
hiappleseed.bsky.social
HR1 narrows the categories of immigrants who can access essential benefits like SNAP, stripping eligibility from many groups historically recognized as needing humanitarian protection, and cutting them off from food assistance and healthcare despite their vulnerable circumstances.
A graphic showing which immigrants can still access benefits and which no longer can under HR1: Still Eligible (No Change) • U.S. citizens, including those who are children of undocumented immigrants • Lawful permanent residents (green card holders) • Compact of Free Association (COFA) migrants • Certain Cuban and Haitian entrants Under HR1 No Longer Eligible • Refugees • Asylum seekers • Humanitarian immigrants (survivors of domestic abuse, labor or sex trafficking)
August 21, 2025 at 11:57 PM
hiappleseed.bsky.social
You’re invited to our first-ever Halloween-themed fundraiser, “Fright for Justice,” Thurs., Oct. 30, 2025, at TchinTchin Bar in Chinatown, Oʻahu! Enjoy a spooky night of dancing, costumes + more!

Support our mission of achieving economic justice for & with Hawaiʻi’s people!

bit.ly/frightforjustice
The flyer for the event includes event info laid over the top of a cream background, along with a vivid, deep orange full moon. The Appleseed logo, placed over the moon, is black and made to look like it’s dripping. A woodblock-esque silhouette of a spooky tree and bats blend into a rough cut black border surrounding the frame. A QR code sits in the lower right corner.
August 7, 2025 at 9:58 PM
hiappleseed.bsky.social
This year, we helped pass bills to:
✅ Expand free school meals for keiki
✅ Fund safer routes to school
✅ Boost affordable housing near transit

Help sustain the fight for justice! Join our summer donor campaign:
✨ Become a monthly donor
✨ Share with a friend

#EconomicJustice #PeopleFirst #Hawaii
A flyer for a summer fundraiser campaign from June 2–August 1, 2025. Power the Progress. hiappleseed.org/donate
June 2, 2025 at 10:53 PM
hiappleseed.bsky.social
Mahalo to all the advocates who pushed our elected leaders to expand free school meals for Hawai‘i public school keiki, and to expand transportation option to bring them to school.

Today Gov. Green signed SB1300 and HB862 into law, helping to build stronger foundations for our collective future.
Advocates, lawmakers and students gathered around Hawai‘i Governor Josh Green after he signed SB1300 into law, expanding free school meal access for public school keiki. A smaller group of advocates and officials with Governor Green after he signed HB862 into law. The bill diversifies the transportation option available to bring public school students too and from the classroom to address our school bus driver shortage.
May 31, 2025 at 1:58 AM
hiappleseed.bsky.social
Same, Dr. Malcolm, same 😭

Image 1-2: from Civil Beat today

Image 3-4: from the Hawai‘i Appleseed blog last year
Screenshot of a Civil Beat article from 5/21/25 with the headline “Hawai‘i tax collections will be lower than expected over next 2 years” Screenshot from inside the CB article noting that the council on revenues stated much of the decline or slow growth in tax collections during the next two years can be attributed to the unprecedented state tax cuts the legislature and Gov. Green approved last year. Screenshot of a Hawai‘i Appleseed blog post from 5/29/24—almost a full year ago—warning that there would be “big budget trouble” due to the same “over-broad and sweeping tax cuts.” Screenshot of Dr Ian Malcolm from Jurassic Park doing his “Boy, do I hate being right all the time.” The Hawai‘i Appleseed logo is superimposed over his face.
May 23, 2025 at 12:04 AM
hiappleseed.bsky.social
Hawai’i food advocates attending the Anti Hunger Policy Conference stood with Rep. Tokuda as she spoke at the #SNAPmatters rally. We are lucky to have Rep. Tokuda as a champion for federal food security programs like SNAP and Child Nutrition in the House Agriculture Committee representing Hawai’i!
Rep Jill Tokuda takes a selfie with Hawaii food equity advocates Hawaii food equity advocates pose for the camera.
May 6, 2025 at 9:10 PM
hiappleseed.bsky.social
We are pleased to announce that the Hawaiʻi Appleseed board of directors has selected Will White as the organization’s next Executive Director. Will brings a wealth of experience in advocacy, policy, and community engagement to the role.

More about Will here: hiappleseed.org/executive-di...
Picture of Will White, formerly the Depity Director of Hawai‘i Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice—newly selected to be its next Executive Director.
April 3, 2025 at 11:44 PM
hiappleseed.bsky.social
Join us for a Zoom info session on the Qualified Allocation Plan. The QAP determines how #AffordableHousing projects are awarded. No previous experience required. We just need folks who are passionate about affordable housing, tenant security, and social housing!

Register: bit.ly/HIQAP101

#HouseHI
Graphic inviting folks to the meeting Graphic using a simulated text chain to provide more info about QAP and the meeting More info in another graphic Graphic with QR code for meeting registration
March 25, 2025 at 10:42 PM
hiappleseed.bsky.social
If you’re in Honolulu, please join us Saturday, March 15 at 9:30 AM at McKinley High auditorium for a community forum around #Meals4AllHI.

We’ve invited the DOE, governor’s office and lawmakers to attend and share their vision for the policy.

Register: www.eventbrite.com/e/1238290122...
Flyer for “Free School Meals for all Community Forum.”
February 15, 2025 at 1:49 AM
hiappleseed.bsky.social
Hawai‘i keiki deserve good food!

Join us for a community-led discussion on Universal Free School Meals. We’ve invited public leaders from the DOE, the state legislature, and the governor’s office to hear more about their vision for offering #Meals4AllHI.

Register: eventbrite.com/e/1238290122...
Flyer for “Free School Meals For All: Community Forum” on Saturday, March 15 from 9:30-11:30 AM at McKinley High School Auditorium in Honolulu. Included logos from event sponsors, Hawai‘i Appleseed, the Hawai‘i State Teachers Association, the Hawai‘i Hunger Action Network, and the Hawai‘i Public Health Institute.
February 12, 2025 at 11:09 PM
hiappleseed.bsky.social
Help ensure critical #housing policies to protect renters and fund infrastructure and affordable housing development get hearings in the HI legislature! These bills must be scheduled and heard before Feb 11!

Take action with a few taps here: p2a.co/lm3qm27
Flyer for support to critical bills that will help to Keep Hawai‘i Housed!
February 7, 2025 at 7:37 PM
hiappleseed.bsky.social
The #SafeRoutesToSchool program is one of the best tools we have to divert #transportation funding to the development of pedestrian infrastructure that will keep us all safer and more healthy.

Help us get a hearing using this simple legislator contact tool: p2a.co/YBEXFl2
A social media flyer created to mobilize support for transportation equity policies in Hawaii. The flyer shows two keiki crossing a street in school zone and includes a QR code that links to the legislator contact tool we set up to help people easily contact the right lawmaker at the right time to support these initiatives. Link also in the post text. Try it out!
February 5, 2025 at 8:38 PM
hiappleseed.bsky.social
The HI Tax Fairness coalition is pushing to get a state #ChildTaxCredit, #CapitalGainsTax reform and a stronger state #EITC off the ground at the legislature.

You can help by using the coalition’s legislator contact form to send emails and make calls to the key lawmakers involved:
p2a.co/yqQj8Cf
HI Tax Fairness coalition flyer calling for support. The flyer includes the two main goals for the coalition: create tax policy that helps local families afford Hawai‘i’s high cost of living (tax credits); and find investments in our shared future through enhanced taxes on extreme wealth (capital gains, luxury real estate sales, etc.)
February 4, 2025 at 10:39 PM
hiappleseed.bsky.social
To guide the successful integration of these services, Hawaiʻi Appleseed has released a report titled “Food is Medicine: An Assessment of Hawaiʻi’s Food and Nutrition Services Landscape” to identify both challenges and opportunities for expanded nutrition services.

hiappleseed.org/publications...
Cover of the “Food is Medicine” report featuring a heart-shaped bowl of fruit entwined with a stethoscope. Thank you iStock!
January 23, 2025 at 7:00 PM
hiappleseed.bsky.social
To combat child poverty, we want to see a state #ChildTaxCredit worth $650 per qualifying child, which would help more than 160,000 struggling local families. We could entirely pay for this program by taxing capital gains—income from investments—at the same rates as regular income.
Card describing our tax reform priorities.
January 15, 2025 at 8:00 PM
hiappleseed.bsky.social
For transportation equity, we want to decriminalize jaywalking and invest, instead, in safe, accessible pedestrian infrastructure—particularly around public schools where the need is greatest using the Safe Routes to School program.
Card describing our transportation equity priorities: decriminalizing jaywalking and investing in Safe Routes to School.
January 15, 2025 at 8:00 PM
hiappleseed.bsky.social
Our food equity team is determined to get #UniversalFreeSchoolMeals implemented in Hawai‘i, and for good reason. Research shows few things will return such large improvements in our keiki’s ability to learn and grow than healthy and consistent nutrition. Follow with the hashtag #Meals4AllHi.
Card describing Universal Free School Meals.
January 15, 2025 at 8:00 PM
hiappleseed.bsky.social
On #AffordableHousing, we’re focusing on a supply-side solution that would raise taxes on the sale of mansions to fund infrastructure upgrades we need for large scale affordable housing development, and demand-side protections to keep renters stable and housed.
Card describing our affordable housing priorities.
January 15, 2025 at 8:00 PM
hiappleseed.bsky.social
Today is opening day of the 2025 Hawai‘i Legislative Session, a narrow window of opportunity for advocates and the public to push lawmakers to adopt people-first #publicpolicy to foster opportunity and wellbeing for #Hawaii and its people.

More at hiappleseed.org/policy-2025
Title card for our “people-first” policy agenda. Read more at hiappleseed.org/policy-2025
January 15, 2025 at 8:00 PM
hiappleseed.bsky.social
Link to submit testimony in opposition to BOE meeting 1.16.25 agenda item IV, which would raise fees on school meals: bit.ly/4az7nrj

Tell the BOE, now is NOT the time to be raising food costs for Hawai‘i families. Instead, the board should support universal free school meals.

#meals4allhi
Image calling attention to a BOE proposal to raise the fees for school meals in Hawai‘i. Image with additional instruction to submit testimony: Select agenda item iv; position: oppose; select “written” unless you can attend the meeting, in which case select both options.
January 14, 2025 at 9:43 PM
hiappleseed.bsky.social
Here’s a chart showing the predicted average tax change per household by income group, should Trump’s proposals be enacted.
A chart showing that 95% of American households would see a tax increase under Trump’s proposed tax changes, while the top 5%—and especially the top 1%—would see a massive windfall.
December 17, 2024 at 12:21 AM
hiappleseed.bsky.social
Also, please join us on Sat., Nov., 23, 2024, from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. at Church of the Crossroads for a community organizing training led by Hawai‘i Appleseed Director of Community Engagement, Christy MacPherson.

Register for FREE at bit.ly/PeoplePowerTraining

Lunch provided 💪

#PeopleFirst
Flyer for a free community organizing training hosted by Hawaii Appleseed at Church of the Crossroads in Honolulu.
November 20, 2024 at 12:01 AM
hiappleseed.bsky.social
This Thurs., at 1 pm, the Honolulu City Council budget committee is hearing an #EmptyHomesTax proposal. UH Mānoa students and advocates are holding a press conference at Noon at Honolulu Hale to call for a strong bill without loopholes that will succeed in alleviating our housing shortage. Join us!
A flyer for the press event UH students and advocates are holding in support of an empty homes tax bill prior to the budget committee hearing.
November 19, 2024 at 11:34 PM