Cost of Living

Nonprofit And Business Leaders Find Hope In Governor’s Affordability Plan David Croxford/Civil Beat/2023

Nonprofit And Business Leaders Find Hope In Governor’s Affordability Plan

Dubbed the Green Affordability Plan, Gov. Josh Green’s proposal would provide more than $300 million annually to struggling households.

Hawaii Lawmakers Are Usually A Cautious Bunch, But The New Governor Wants Action Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2022

Hawaii Lawmakers Are Usually A Cautious Bunch, But The New Governor Wants Action

Gov. Josh Green is expected to push hard for his agenda, and may make an appeal to the public if his proposals stall at the Legislature. But lawmakers have their own plans.

No Car? No Problem. Car Rentals Cater To Honolulu Residents Who Don’t Really Need One David Croxford/CivilBeat/2022

No Car? No Problem. Car Rentals Cater To Honolulu Residents Who Don’t Really Need One

As more companies compete to offer short-term car-renting options, living without a car in Honolulu could get easier and bring down the cost of living.

Report: Pandemic Has Driven More Families Below The Poverty Line In Hawaii Ronen Zilberman/Civil Beat/2021

Report: Pandemic Has Driven More Families Below The Poverty Line In Hawaii

Many households are increasingly vulnerable to falling further down the financial ladder.

Everyone Says We Need More Affordable Housing. But Oahu Voters Said No To More Money City and County of Honolulu

Everyone Says We Need More Affordable Housing. But Oahu Voters Said No To More Money

The reasons behind the failure of the ballot measure are complicated but experts point to “economic NIMBYism” as a culprit.

Rising Prices, Increasing Poverty, Slowing Job Growth: Hawaii’s Economy Faces Grim Times Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2022

Rising Prices, Increasing Poverty, Slowing Job Growth: Hawaii’s Economy Faces Grim Times

Among those facing higher costs are Oahu utility customers whose October bills could show more cost increases on top of a dramatic rise over the past year.

‘People Are Really Struggling’: Hawaii Food Banks Scramble To Meet Increased Demand Kuʻu Kauanoe/Civil Beat/2020

‘People Are Really Struggling’: Hawaii Food Banks Scramble To Meet Increased Demand

Rising food costs and the end of pandemic-era assistance programs are driving a spike in demand for food assistance.

Blueprint For Hawaii Housing? UH Project For Students And Faculty Is Going Up At Relatively Little Cost University of Hawaii

Blueprint For Hawaii Housing? UH Project For Students And Faculty Is Going Up At Relatively Little Cost

A Hawaii lawmaker says the public private housing partnership could be a model for state-owned affordable rentals.

Hawaii Condo Fees Are Among Nation’s Highest. And They’re Squeezing The Middle Class Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2016

Hawaii Condo Fees Are Among Nation’s Highest. And They’re Squeezing The Middle Class

For many middle class home owners, maintenance fees can be almost as high as a mortgage.

Hawaii Has A Child Care Crisis. Employers Could Help Solve It Courtesy: Le Village Cowork/2022

Hawaii Has A Child Care Crisis. Employers Could Help Solve It

Setting up on-site daycare can be an expensive and difficult undertaking, but there are other creative ways that companies can help young families.