First part of HART audit is bad; will rest be worse?
First part of HART audit is bad; will rest be worse?
HAWAII’S LEADING INDEPENDENT THINK TANK
Working for a better economy, better government and a better society
Hawaii’s coming recession
Talk of recession is in the air, but are Hawaii legislators listening? I wouldn’t presume to predict the future, but there have been indications that an economic downturn might be in Hawaii’s future. Gov. David Ige in his most recent budget projected state revenues…
First part of HART audit is bad; will rest be worse?
The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii denounces the “egregious” behavior so far uncovered HONOLULU, Jan. 10, 2019 >> The first installment of a four-part audit by the state auditor is more proof that the over-budget and behind-schedule Honolulu rail project has been…
‘Singapore model’ doesn’t sing for Hawaii housing
A proposal to build high-rise housing in Hawaii based on the so-called Singapore model could end up costing Hawaii taxpayers dearly — and distract from implementing the more effective solution of simply streamlining land-use regulations so it would be easier to build…
Happy New Year, Hawaii, now pay up!
It doesn’t rank up there with trees, gifts and turkey dinners, but New Year’s Day does mark an annual tradition: increases in our taxes. Perhaps most notable are the increases in the general excise tax on Kauai and Hawaii Island. These took effect after the state…
Why are residents leaving Hawaii?
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…
Our Santa wish list for Hawaii
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…
The problem with rail isn’t PR
This is a letter to the editor that was published Thursday, Dec. 20, in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. We commend the Honolulu Star-Advertiser for putting the spotlight on the failed public relations efforts of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (“Loss on…
Minimum-wage hike hurts workers
This article was originally published in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2018. Leah is the young mother of a small family in Hawaii working at a small family restaurant for the legal minimum wage. Like many families in Hawaii, she and her husband…
Ige can count us to help Hawaii ‘move forward’
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…
News you can use
‘Hawaii Supreme Court Overturns 30 Years of Government Secrecy’
Minneapolis offers Hawaii a model for sweeping housing deregulation
‘Jones Act Is The Largest Impediment To Economic Growth In Hawaii’
Is California (Hawaii) going the way of Germany when it comes to energy?
Police Commission wants accountability about why gun carry permits are being denied
‘We should be angry about rail’s broken promises’
Star-Advertiser urges HART to cough up more rail info for State Auditor
Time is running out to resolve rail audit
Big Island Video News quotes Akina on voided ballot measure
The Garden Island covers pension presentation to Kauai City Council
Orange County Register quotes Akina on building in lava zones
Tuesday ‘Janus’ event covered by The Maui News
Monday ‘Janus’ event covered by Honolulu Star-Advertiser, Civil Beat, Pacific Business News
Star-Advertiser editorializes against ‘gut and replace’
Common Cause, League of Women Voters sue to stop ‘gut and replace’
Jones Act could hamper Hawaii’s recovery from Hurricane Lane
Jones Act waiver sought for Hawaii by Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
Hurricane Lane price caps will worsen shortages
The Jones Act makes little sense in a globalized world
Federal government puts local zoning in its sights
Hawaii ranks 49th in Cato Institute’s ‘Freedom in the 50 States’ report
‘The time is past due to end the outdated, protectionist relic known as the Jones Act’
10-minute podcast explains how Jones Act harms Puerto Rico
Hellenic Shipping News (in Greece) takes note of ABA resolution on Jones Act
ABA Law Journal reports on resolution to exempt PR from Jones Act
Grassroot Institute cited in ABA’s Jones Act resolution (pages 2 and 5)
NYC and NY State Bar Associations prevail on ABA to urge Congress to exempt PR from Jones Act
