Blog
The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii blog offers news and commentary on a wide variety of topics related to economic freedom and individual liberty. Come back frequently to see the latest from our staff, contributors and Grassroot scholars.
Government fanned flames of volcano disaster
As lava engulfs the homes of many unfortunate Hawaii Island residents, it’s important to remember that the state originally encouraged the building of homes in this dangerous area by offering lava insurance where no private company would. In the 1990s, the town of...
Enlist private sector to help cut Maui water list backlog
Maui County has a backlog of 1,728 applications from residents seeking to hook up to the county water supply, and the county is processing only about 60 a year. Hiring a private contractor to help is an obvious solution, and there is a way to do it legally.
Was 2018 Hawaii Legislature a success?
This year’s legislative session has ended and our legislators are proud. At this week’s “Legislative Wrap-Up,” House Speaker Scott Saiki said, “This has been the most productive session that I’ve been involved with.” Lest there be any doubt about what he meant, Saiki...
Hawaii has poor record with ‘low’ tax proposals
Hawaii fares poorly when it comes "temporary" taxes or new taxes that were promised to always stay low and targeted. Exhibit A: the state's "temporary" 5 percent transient accommodations tax, which now is permanent and so far up to 10.25 percent. A new proposal —...
Restoring accountability at the Capitol
In theory, the legislative session is a time when complex issues can be hashed out in full view of the public. Citizens are free to testify and offer feedback to legislators about proposed bills. Legislators can research and debate the possible impact. Hearings are...
Maui should relax its housing and zoning laws
"For many families looking to buy an affordable home on Maui, the last hope is to enter a county-mandated lottery. But more families could be winners if housing and zoning regulations were relaxed," reads the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii's recent letter to the editor...
Hawaii’s future generation will pay for unfunded liabilities
Hawaii Legislature wants to vacuum up your tax savings
Some legislators view the federal cuts as an opportunity to collect more money for the state.
New study ranks Hawaii economy poorly but offers guide to ‘course correction’
Grassroot Institute president says Hawaii can achieve a better economic outlook
Future in Hawaii versus future on the mainland
Hawaii schools need flexibility, not centralization
At a time when many advocates of education reform are promoting greater local involvement in schools, Hawaii appears to be moving in the opposite direction. The Aloha State is already unusual in the way it manages education. Generally throughout the country, state...
Hawaii occupational licensing laws ‘headed in wrong direction’
Grassroot Institute president urges removal of barriers to economic mobility
Hawaii taxpayers shackled by tax burden
Mandatory paid sick leave wrong medicine for Hawaii economy
The Hawaii Legislature may have shelved an increase in the minimum wage this year, but that doesn’t mean it is done creating new regulations for local businesses.
Low unemployment masks Hawaii’s unhealthy economy
Grassroot president says high taxes, regulations discourage higher-paying jobs
How much privacy for public employees?
Transparency is a difficult area for politicians and policymakers. Typically they profess to understand the value of open government, but it’s astounding how quickly they can carve out exceptions to withhold information from the public. Consider HB1768, a bill...