Lawmakers, nonprofit holding virtual forum to educate, engage public in crafting Hawaiʻi’s People’s Budget

Would you like to better understand how the State of Hawaiʻi’s budget is put together, structured, financed and where funds go?

On Sunday, state lawmakers will host a virtual forum in partnership with Hawai‘i Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice to discuss crafting of a “People’s Budget” for the 2025 legislative session. 

This is the first forum in a series of online and in-person events that will lay the groundwork for a broader understanding of Hawaiʻi’s State Budget.

There will be an overview of the Hawaii Budget Primer 2024–25 by Beth Giesting, director emeritus of the Hawai‘i Budget & Policy Center. 

Following this overview, panelists will engage in a conversation with former Gov. David Ige. He has decades of experience as our most recent past governor and when he served as Chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee.

The forum will be on Zoom from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Members of the public and the media who would like to participate can register here.

The forum, co-facilitated by Rep. Jeanné Kapela, District 5, also can be watched on ‘Ōlelo Channel 53, Youtube or Facebook.

Rep. Della Au Belatti (District 26) and Rep. Amy Perruso (District 46) also are participating.

Hawai‘i Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice was founded in 2004 and is a research, policy, and advocacy organization dedicated to creating a more just and equitable Hawai‘i with a focus on systemic change, community empowerment, and strategic advocacy. 

For more information on Hawai‘i Appleseed, visit them at https://hiappleseed.org/20-years-appleseed.