High medical costs another threat to Hawaii taxpayers
High medical costs another threat to Hawaii taxpayers
Leasehold state housing won’t solve housing crisis
Leasehold state housing won’t solve housing crisis
Akina updates ‘808 State Update’ on contracting report
Akina updates ‘808 State Update’ on contracting report
Restore flexibility for delivery of public services
Restore flexibility for delivery of public services
New report tells how to revive contracting as policy option
New report tells how to revive contracting as policy option
HAWAII’S LEADING INDEPENDENT THINK TANK
Working for a better economy, better government and a better society
High medical costs another threat to Hawaii taxpayers
It is common knowledge that medical costs have been skyrocketing for years, regardless of all attempts to reform our nation’s medical system. What many people in Hawaii don’t realize, however, is that higher medical costs increase our state’s debt — and Hawaii…
The hypocrisy of minimum-wage laws
Hawaii politicians are eager to raise the minimum legal wage — again. They have raised the minimum legal wage many times before, but they complain that it is never enough. The last increase in the minimum wage wasn’t enough because the prices of food, clothing and…
Akina pans HART’s P3 plan in Star-Advertiser
The following is an excerpt of a front-page article — “Federal investigation, funding issues increase risk for rail bidders” — that appeared Sunday, March 17, in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. It features Grassroot Institute of Hawaii President Keli’i Akina, who was…
Leasehold state housing won’t solve housing crisis
The Hawaii Legislature is considering forming a new state agency that would build high-rise condominium units on state land that it would sell for about $300,000 each under 99-year leases. But the proposal, called ALOHA Homes, would not be the answer to Hawaii’s…
Akina updates ‘808 State Update’ on contracting report
It didn’t take long for the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii’s newest policy report, “How to revive contracting as a policy option in Hawaii,” to receive some thoughtful media attention. Publicly released on Wednesday, March 13, the report describes the legal obstacles…
More housing would boost Maui tax revenues
As Maui County lawmakers search under the couch cushions for loose change that would help them meet their budgetary goals, they should remember that finding extra cash could be easy, if they would only step out of the way of island homebuilders. That’s right: the…
Restore flexibility for delivery of public services
Imagine that you’ve just been appointed to a managerial position in county government. You’re looking for ways to make your department run more efficiently and you notice that janitorial services have been a perpetual headache for previous managers. Filling the…
New report tells how to revive contracting as policy option
Hawaii lawmakers need greater flexibility in determining how to deliver public services. HONOLULU, Mar. 13, 2019 >> A small tweak to an old law might be all that is needed to help the state partner with the private sector, according to a new report by the…
Take longer view on Hawaii infrastructure
When friends visit the islands, I love to show them Hawaii’s beautiful mountains, beaches and sunsets, but I try to direct their eyes away from the state’s crumbling government infrastructure. The state’s disintegrating roads, brittle bridges and run-down…
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
