Cost of Living

‘Hell-Hole’ Building Tenants Gain Traction In Court As Conditions Deteriorate Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2025

‘Hell-Hole’ Building Tenants Gain Traction In Court As Conditions Deteriorate

Remaining residents were terrified when a group of men in black clothing armed with a pistol showed up last week. Today they head back to court.

New Federal Rules Ramp Up The Pressure On People Who Count On Food Stamps Courtesy: Larry Geller/2021

New Federal Rules Ramp Up The Pressure On People Who Count On Food Stamps

Thousands of people in Hawaiʻi will be cut from the program entirely or face additional hurdles, including added work requirements.

Going Hungry In Hawaiʻi? Government Shutdown To Halt Food Stamps David Croxford/Civil Beat/2025

Going Hungry In Hawaiʻi? Government Shutdown To Halt Food Stamps

The state is creating a relief fund to cover costs for some — and will consider tapping into a $200 million contingency fund.

Controversial Bill To Phase Out Maui Vacation Rentals Could Get Watered Down Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2024

Controversial Bill To Phase Out Maui Vacation Rentals Could Get Watered Down

A temporary investigative group recommended rezoning thousands of apartment-zoned units so they can be used as both short- and long-term rentals.

Hawaiʻi Residents Could Face Electric Rate Hike In 2026 Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2022

Hawaiʻi Residents Could Face Electric Rate Hike In 2026

Energy advocates say HECO’s effort to increase rates sidesteps ratepayer protection law.

Latest USDA Cuts Will Harm Hawaiʻi’s Food Security, From Farmers To Kids Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2022

Latest USDA Cuts Will Harm Hawaiʻi’s Food Security, From Farmers To Kids

Hawaiʻi’s food security is already weak. Nearly one-third of children in the state live in a food insecure home and the demand for food banks is on the rise.

Hawaiʻi Cost Of Living Is Creating A Mental Health Crisis For Workers Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023

Hawaiʻi Cost Of Living Is Creating A Mental Health Crisis For Workers

Residents experiencing food insecurity are more likely to experience depression and have suicidal thoughts, according to new research.

Debate Keeps Swirling Around Paid Family Leave In Hawaiʻi Chad Blair/Civil Beat/2025

Debate Keeps Swirling Around Paid Family Leave In Hawaiʻi

Advocates say the need is greater than ever. But unions, businesses and state agencies are resisting.

Waikīkī Restaurant Owner Investigated For Not Paying Workers April Estrellon/Civil Beat/2024

Waikīkī Restaurant Owner Investigated For Not Paying Workers

State, federal agencies are looking into claims of bounced paychecks from the owner of Makana Lani and Burgers on Bishop.

Struggling To Survive: Hawaiʻi Residents Take On Debt, Think About Leaving Jeremy Hay

Struggling To Survive: Hawaiʻi Residents Take On Debt, Think About Leaving

Report: More people having trouble getting by are on neighbor islands.