by Keli'i Akina, Ph.D. | Dec 28, 2018 | Cost of Living, Economy, Featured, Labor & Jobs, President's Column, Regulation, Website
It’s too expensive. That’s why most people move away from their beloved Hawaii. Consider the story of Christopher Peralta, who left Honolulu in 2009 and now lives in Portland. He told the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii: “I was working three jobs and had nothing to show...
by Keli'i Akina, Ph.D. | Dec 21, 2018 | Accountability, Featured, President's Column, Regulation, Website
Well, it’s Christmas season again, so here is what I drafted recently for Santa to consider: Dear Santa, We at the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii were very good this past year about defending the free market. We helped educate policymakers, stood for transparency and...
by Keli'i Akina, Ph.D. | Dec 17, 2018 | Featured, President's Column, Regulation, Website
I heard something strangely familiar in Gov. David Ige’s inauguration address last week. As the governor began speaking of the challenges facing our state, he issued a plea that we all work together to make things better. He even unveiled the theme of his speech: ʻOni...
by Keli'i Akina, Ph.D. | Dec 7, 2018 | Featured, Jones Act, President's Column, Website
Aloha, from Washington, D.C. Or as the locals say, “Get out of my way! That light has been green for two nanoseconds now!” I traveled here to the nation’s capital to participate Thursday in a conference about the Jones Act. Hosted by the Cato Institute, the event...
by Keli'i Akina, Ph.D. | Nov 30, 2018 | Accountability, Budget, Cost of Living, Featured, President's Column, Privatization, Rail, Taxes, Website
In the past, the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii has been favorably disposed to public-private partnerships (P3s). While not quite the same thing as privatization, these partnerships are often a good way to improve public services and relieve taxpayers of some of the...
by Keli'i Akina, Ph.D. | Nov 22, 2018 | Featured, President's Column, Website
Happy Thanksgiving, from all of us at the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii. This is a day when we stop to count our blessings. We are thankful for the freedoms and great opportunities we all enjoy in America — and to the many men and women who fought for and...