Midway through autumn, and celebrating my 5th anniversary with MidWeek; soooo… here are some nice things to acknowledge and/or celebrate:
Some folks believe that film tax credits shouldn’t be given out locally. Huh? Not only do the movies/videos/ads/TV shows provide nice (free) marketing for our islands, but the business model appears to deliver great results, too. We ought to be incentivizing more industries to set up shop(s) here, not fewer. You can’t complain about a lack of a diversified economy without providing some lures.
There’s a reason Hartford became America’s insurance capital, and Delaware reigns as our incorporation capital. It isn’t the weather. Incentives, tax credits, and other financial inducements. With high prices, a tough labor market, annual net emigration, and a difficult housing situation, we need to be more creative, like the artful types in the film/TV industry.
The Kahoolawe Island Reserve Commission found a green turtle (honu) nesting site there. We know of the decades-long struggle to resurrect the island into something inspiring after it had become a barren and bombed site, and as KIRC’s executive director said, this nest shows “…the island’s remarkable capacity for healing.” For years, all that was discovered on Kahoolawe was buried ordnance. With Kahoolawe’s invasive grass now cut back and the planting of native species, we’re witnessing one less turtle hurdle. Bravo!
Due to some quality research done and resourceful action taken thereafter, 14,000 Hawai’i households will be eligible for about $45-million (or $3,200 annually) through the SNAP program, formerly known as food stamps. Kudos to assistant professor Dylan Moore of the UH Economic Research Organization (UHERO) and Nate Hix of the Hawai`i Public Health Institute’s pushing and prodding, local households in need can apply for additional SNAP funds. The state’s Department of Human Services is working on its (hopefully) soon-to-be upgraded eligibility system to ensure that available federal funds can be used here.
Many households in Hawai`i face what’s known as the “benefits cliff” scenario, whereby monthly financial benefits they receive may drop to zero if they see even slight income increases which would push their earnings above the allowable threshold. There is no gradual stairway allowing workers to move up financially without losing fed funds, just this cliff whereby you can lose $500/month in benefits by earning $200/month more at work. Bad math; complicated system, but reality. Great work UHERO and you heroes who made this SNAP decision happen!
Think about it…