Kent, Hamada discuss city’s handling of COVID-19 funds, possible ‘green fee’ and more

Visitor impact fees and mismanagement of COVID-19 relief funds were among the topics covered during Joe Kent’s latest appearance on the “Rick Hamada Program” on KHVH NewsRadio 830.  Kent, Grassroot Institute executive vice president, kicked off the discussion by addressing the city’s handling of its $387 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds.  Referencing a recent […]

Relax rules on ‘cottage food’ entrepreneurs

Photo by Mark Coleman The following commentary was originally published in West Hawaii Today on Nov. 4, 2023, and in the Hawaii Tribune-Herald on Nov. 5, 2023. __________ Hawaii is one of the most challenging states in which to start a business. Oodles of regulations and taxes and high housing, labor and shipping costs all […]

Adjusting AMI for Kauai’s affordable rental program could backfire

The following testimony was submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii for consideration by the Kaua‘i County Council on Nov. 8, 2023. _____________ Nov. 8, 2023, 8:30 a.m. To: Kauai County Council Finance and Economic Development Committee Chair Ross Kagawa Vice-Chair KipuKai Kuala‘i From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii Jonathan Helton, Policy Researcher Comments on Bill […]

Streamline permitting process to reduce wait times, favoritism

Photo by Mark Coleman The following commentary was originally published in the Hawaii Filipino Chronicle on Nov. 5, 2023. __________ Anyone wanting to renovate, repair, or build a home in Honolulu can typically expect to wait months or even years before being issued a permit. The situation has become so bad that The Actors Guild, […]