Hawaiʻi True Cost Coalition

By Cesar Gaxiola, Executive Director J. Walter Cameron Center Hawaiʻi’s safety net is strongest when the community organizations that hold it together are supported and valued. Every day, community-based nonprofits feed families, care for kūpuna, support survivors, shelter youth, and assist people with complex needs. But this safety net is fraying and without action, it… Read more

By Tanya Yamanaka Aynessazian and Heather Lusk The consequences are real. When public revenues fall short, infrastructure projects are delayed, environmental protection efforts struggle for funding, housing shortages worsen, and social services become strained. Nonprofits working on the front lines see these impacts every day while struggling with state contracts that in many cases haven’t… Read more

By Andrea Wernli, Executive Director Hawaii Island Adult Day Care, Inc. Even with all the good adult day care does for Hawaii Island, day care programs are under financial pressure. Government payments are much lower than what it really costs to provide care. For instance, Medicaid pays only $80 to $110 per person each day… Read more

By: Annalisa Burgo Rep. Lisa Marten chairs the House Human Services and Homelessness Committee. She wants more funding for state-contracted service providers. “They do the work, but the amount of money we give them for that work has not gone up as salaries have increased, as inflation has hit, their utilities, their rent, gas, and… Read more

By Connie Mitchell, executive director of The Institute for Human Services For years, state contracts have failed to cover the full cost to deliver services. A recent survey found 68.9% of Hawaii True Cost Coalition members — nonprofits that deliver critical support services to our community, often referred to as safety net services — operate… Read more

Community-based organizations are crucial lifelines for Kaua`i’s most vulnerable residents. They provide services such as domestic violence support, food assistance for kupuna and resources for those in needs. However, these essential services are now at serious risk because of federal funding cuts and ongoing uncertainty. Link to full article Read more