Taxes often make people’s eyes glaze over—but they shape nearly every aspect of our lives. 

In this episode, we unpack how tax policy influences inequality, public services, and the future of Hawai‘i. Featuring insights from advocates, economists, and lawmakers, the conversation explores everything from minimum wage and tax credits to wealth taxes and housing affordability. 

We dig into who really benefits from current tax systems, why the wealthy often pay less proportionally, and what reforms could create a more equitable, livable, resilient society. Along the way, we wrestle with the challenges of policy design, as well as enforcement and evasion, where good intentions sometimes collide with reality. Despite the challenges, our guests urge us to think of taxes as a reflection of our values and to think more about what they can do to make the world better.

Tina Grandinetti was born and raised on Oʻahu and serves in the Hawaiʻi House of Representatives for District 20.

DW Gibson is an author of several books, including the award-winning The Edge Becomes the Center: An Oral History of Gentrification.

Will White serves as the executive director of Hawaii Appleseed.

Robert Perkinson is an associate professor of American Studies and director of the Better Tomorrow Speaker Series.

Production: Willow Hutchison

Editing: Amika Matteson

Recording and Sound Editing Assistance: Adeel Meer

Original Music: Will Watson

The Better Tomorrow Speaker Series features incisive conversations on the most pressing issues of our time. The series is a joint venture of the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, the Learning Coalition, and the Hawai‘i Community Foundation. It is administered by the College of Arts, Languages, and Letters and in cooperation with the UH Foundation.

BTSS website: http://manoa.hawaii.edu/speakers/ 

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