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Lawmakers are considering programs to boost the pay of child care workers and offer stipends to early childhood educators.

High gas prices and registration fees make it expensive to own a car in Hawaii and that makes it even harder to afford to live here.

Even Pacific islands cannot avoid the coming price shock from Russia’s war with Ukraine.

Throughout the coming year, Civil Beat will be examining the challenges facing Hawaii’s disappearing middle class, including the political barriers that have long stymied improvement.

Most companies already pay above minimum wage and those that have had to raise pay came through it relatively unscathed.

New census data shows that the poverty rate is down from last year but that Hawaii residents still struggle with the high costs of housing and other necessities.

“It’s like you’re in that middle zone where you’re making too much to receive help, but you’re not making enough to really prosper.”

The federal poverty line already doesn’t take into account the state’s high cost of living.

“A big concern of mine is maintaining the quality of life and not being in a position where my kids feel a sense of lack.”

“Being frugal is an important aspect to living in Hawaii.”