Grassroot Institute president Keli’i Akina, Ph.D. was recently interviewed by Hawaii News Now concerning allegations that a civilian Naval procurement officer had steered millions of dollars in contract funds to a firm he and his wife own.
According to Akina, “Someone who has the ability to use taxpayer dollars and then steer them to himself, is clearly in a position of conflict of interest.”
Grassroot Institute’s analysis was sought out by investigative reporter Rick Daysog in light of the Institute’s role as a “government watchdog.” When asked what the harm of corrupt contracting practices is, Akina responded, “Unfortunately, the people lose out altogether. The taxpayers lose out because the only people who make money are those with privilege and access to power. That’s one of the reasons [Hawaii’s] prices are so high.” Watch the television news report here.
