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Kupuna at risk: How federal changes to SNAP impact older adults in Hawaii — Hawaiʻi Appleseed

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Hawai‘i Appleseed @hiappleseed.bsky.social · 14d

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...

Even within these new constraints, Hawaii can innovate by combining or re-imagining existing programs to expand access and strengthen support for our seniors.

Why Understanding Hawaiʻi's Budget Is An Important Civic Duty

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Hawai‘i Appleseed @hiappleseed.bsky.social · 14d

“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-...

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/

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Reposted by Hawai‘i Appleseed

Eviction Lab @evictionlab.bsky.social · 18d

“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.

Four Hawaii nonprofits receive investments as SNAP cuts loom — Hawaiʻi Appleseed

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Reposted by Hawai‘i Appleseed

Hawai‘i Appleseed @hiappleseed.bsky.social · Sep 8

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/...

More than 13,000 people in Hawaii could lose some or all of their benefits each month once expanded work requirements are implemented.

A path to more affordable housing: Rethinking county rules — Hawaiʻi Appleseed

Reposted by Hawai‘i Appleseed

Hawai‘i Appleseed @hiappleseed.bsky.social · 19d

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...

County governments control what gets built through zoning, and through lengthy discretionary approvals. Both levers have historically been used to restrict supply.

A path to more affordable housing: Rethinking county rules — Hawaiʻi Appleseed

Hawai‘i Appleseed @hiappleseed.bsky.social · 19d

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...

County governments control what gets built through zoning, and through lengthy discretionary approvals. Both levers have historically been used to restrict supply.

Transformative change meets budget realities—a central lawmaking tension plays out in new reports — Hawaiʻi Appleseed

Reposted by Hawai‘i Appleseed

Hawai‘i Appleseed @hiappleseed.bsky.social · 25d

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...

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.

Transformative change meets budget realities—a central lawmaking tension plays out in new reports — Hawaiʻi Appleseed

Hawai‘i Appleseed @hiappleseed.bsky.social · 25d

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...

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.

Can Hawaii afford to cut the grocery tax? — Hawaiʻi Appleseed

Reposted by Hawai‘i Appleseed

Hawai‘i Appleseed @hiappleseed.bsky.social · Sep 18

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...

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.

Can Hawaii afford to cut the grocery tax? — Hawaiʻi Appleseed

Hawai‘i Appleseed @hiappleseed.bsky.social · Sep 18

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...

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.

Proposal to raise transit fares will hurt Oahu riders — Hawaiʻi Appleseed

Reposted by Hawai‘i Appleseed

Hawai‘i Appleseed @hiappleseed.bsky.social · Sep 17

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...

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.

Proposal to raise transit fares will hurt Oahu riders — Hawaiʻi Appleseed

Hawai‘i Appleseed @hiappleseed.bsky.social · Sep 17

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...

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.

Four Hawaii nonprofits receive investments as SNAP cuts loom — Hawaiʻi Appleseed

Hawai‘i Appleseed @hiappleseed.bsky.social · Sep 8

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/...

More than 13,000 people in Hawaii could lose some or all of their benefits each month once expanded work requirements are implemented.

Can State Fund Get More Kids Walking And Biking To School?

Hawai‘i Appleseed @hiappleseed.bsky.social · Sep 5

The Safe Routes to School advisory committee has announced the first round of funding awards. August Ahrens Elementary in Waipahu—the state’s largest elementary school—is designated as first on the list w/ a $1 million project along five blocks of Māhoe Street.

www.civilbeat.org/2025/09/stat...

The funds won’t be released until early next year, but the transportation department is looking at ways to expedite processes so work can begin within four months of receipt.

www.civilbeat.org

Hawaii already has the tools to create a locals-only housing market; we just need to use them — Hawaiʻi Appleseed

Hawai‘i Appleseed @hiappleseed.bsky.social · Sep 5

Whether buying a first home, renting, or selling within the community, local people should have the advantage. Housing should function as a home—not as a global commodity.

#LocalsOnly #AffordableHousing #Housing #Hawaii

hiappleseed.org/blog/hawaii-...

Whether buying a first home, renting, or selling within the community, local people should have the advantage. Housing should function as a home—not as a global commodity.

Powered by the people: How Hawaii Appleseed’s community-first focus can create change—with your help — Hawaiʻi Appleseed

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Hawai‘i Appleseed @hiappleseed.bsky.social · Aug 28

When we put people first, it means our policy proposals come from the community—which is essential to turning those proposals into law. Read more about what this looks like in practice and find out how you can help below.

#SocialJustice

hiappleseed.org/blog/people-...

When we put people first, it means our policy proposals come from the community—which is essential to turning those proposals into law.

Four Hawaii nonprofits receive critical investment from national anti-hunger organization as SNAP cuts loom — Hawaiʻi Appleseed

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Hawai‘i Appleseed @hiappleseed.bsky.social · Aug 27

In Hawaiʻi, nearly 1 in 3 households struggles with food insecurity. These investments will help power Hawaiʻi advocates fighting for policy-based solutions designed to break the cycle of #hunger and strengthen food security for future generations.

#FoodEquity

hiappleseed.org/press-releas...

These investments will help power Hawaii advocates fighting for policy-based solutions designed to break the cycle of hunger and strengthen food security for future generations.

The chilling effect: How federal cuts and immigration crackdowns threaten food security in Hawaii — Hawaiʻi Appleseed

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Hawai‘i Appleseed @hiappleseed.bsky.social · Aug 22

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

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Hawai‘i Appleseed @hiappleseed.bsky.social · Aug 21

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)

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Hawai‘i Appleseed @hiappleseed.bsky.social · Aug 21

The mega budget bill that Congress recently passed narrows who can access critical programs like SNAP and Medicaid, while fueling fear and confusion about who can safely apply for assistance in the wake of increased #immigration enforcement.

hiappleseed.org/blog/the-chi...

The mega budget bill that Congress recently passed narrows who can access critical programs like SNAP and Medicaid, while fueling fear and confusion about who can safely apply for assistance in the wa...

We need to talk about inclusionary zoning — Hawaiʻi Appleseed

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Hawai‘i Appleseed @hiappleseed.bsky.social · Aug 13

Inclusionary Zoning is a band-aid solution to a crisis that demands major surgery. It’s time to confront why this policy hasn’t worked—and what we should do instead.

#zoning #housing #housingcrisis #affordability #costofliving #honolulu #hawaii #policy #research

hiappleseed.org/blog/inclusi...

Inclusionary Zoning is a band-aid solution to a crisis that demands major surgery. It’s time to confront why this policy hasn’t worked—and what we should do instead.