Public pension reform will benefit government workers
Public pension reform will benefit government workers
HAWAII’S LEADING INDEPENDENT THINK TANK
Working for a better economy, better government and a better society
Washington hears our message on Jones Act
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…
Public pension reform will benefit government workers
This is a letter to the editor that was published Monday, Dec. 3, in The Garden Island, which headlined it, “Pension problem needs solving.” Your recent guest column, “Don’t begrudge pensions for public employees,” (TGI, Nov. 27) misrepresented the position of groups…
Not all public-private partnerships are good
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…
Beware of Maui County’s ‘shiny new ball’
This article was originally published in The Maui News on Thursday, Nov. 29. Maui County Council members this month voted to “go vertical” and move forward on financing a proposed $81.2 million Wailuku Civic Complex, but policymakers would be wise to focus less on the…
Public pension crisis could have silver lining
This article was originally published in The Garden Island on Thursday, Nov. 22, 2018. Soaring public pension and health benefit costs will be slamming Hawaii’s county governments in coming years, forcing them to consider cutting important government services or…
Giving thanks to you
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…
Maui rental fines not fine
Say you’re in desperate need of money and decide to rent a room in your Maui home through Airbnb. You look at the other rentals being offered and decide to make your price competitive at $100 a night. You know this won’t make you a millionaire — you’re just hoping it…
HART’s P3 Plan Another Bad Sign For Rail
This article was originally published as a “Community Voice” in Civil Beat on Nov. 14, 2018. The Honolulu rail system is projected to lose millions of dollars every year after opening in 2026. So it’s baffling that any company would want to partner with the Honolulu…
Vacation rental fines inviting legal trouble
This article was published as a letter to the editor in The Maui News on Nov. 14, 2018. On Nov. 6, Maui voters decided to drastically increase the fines for illegal short-term vacation rentals on Maui, which could expose the county to dangerous legal challenges….
News you can use
Minneapolis adopts 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
