Cost containment needed on rail, Aloha Stadium, Kent tells Hamada
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii Executive Vice President Joe Kent discussed the Honolulu rail project, the construction of a new Aloha Stadium and the rebuilding of Lahaina this week on “The Rick Hamada Program” on KHVH radio. Kent and host Rick Hamada agreed that costs must be contained on the two Oahu projects and things need […]
Taxicabs need rate freedom to succeed in evolving transit industry
The following testimony was submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii for consideration by the Honolulu City Council Committee on Infrastructure, Transportation and Technology on Sept. 24, 2025. _____________ Sept. 24, 2025, 9 a.m. Honolulu Hale To: Honolulu City Council Committee on Infrastructure, Transportation and Technology Radiant Cordero, Chair Val Okimoto, Vice Chair From: Grassroot Institute […]
Any new tax class tiers should reflect changes in property values
The following testimony was submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii for consideration by the Honolulu City Council Committee on Budget on Sept. 23, 2025._____________ Sept. 23, 2025, 9 a.m.Honolulu Hale To: Honolulu City Council Committee on Budget Val Okimoto, Chair Scott Nishimoto, Vice Chair From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii Ted Kefalas, Director of Strategic […]
Amend ADU size limits to help alleviate Maui’s housing crisis
The following testimony was submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii for consideration by the Maui Planning Commission on Sept. 23, 2025. _____________ Sept. 23, 2025, 9 a.m.Planning Department conference room To: Maui Planning Commission Kim Thayer, Chair Ashley Lindsey, Vice Chair From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii Jonathan Helton, Policy Analyst RE: Item A(1) — […]
Increase living area for ADUs to help address Molokai’s housing shortage
The following testimony was submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii for consideration by the Moloka‘i Planning Commission on Sept. 24, 2025._____________ Sept. 24, 2025, 11 a.m.Remote meeting To: Moloka‘i Planning Commission Zhantell Lindo, Chair Shannon Kaahanui, Vice Chair From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii Jonathan Helton, Policy Analyst RE: Item A(1) — A BILL FOR […]
Create legal certainty to encourage installation of manufactured housing
The following testimony was submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii for consideration by the Maui County Council Committee on Water and Infrastructure on Sept. 22, 2025._____________ Sept. 22, 2025, 1:30 p.m.Kalana O Maui Building To: Maui County Council Committee on Water and Infrastructure Tom Cook, Chair Yuki Lei Sugimura, Vice Chair From: Grassroot Institute […]
Bill would add review layers, make it harder to receive minor SMA permits
The following testimony was submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii for consideration by the Honolulu City Council Committee on Zoning and Planning on Sept. 23, 2025._____________ Sept. 23, 2025, 1 p.m.Honolulu Hale To: Honolulu City Council Committee on Zoning and Planning Esther Kiaʻāina, Chair Tommy Waters, Vice Chair From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii Ted […]
Longer deed-restriction rules threaten affordable housing future
The following testimony was submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii for consideration by the Maui County Council Housing and Land Use Committee on Sept. 24, 2025._____________ Sept. 24, 2025, 9 a.m.Council Chamber, Kalana O Maui Building To: Maui County Council, Housing and Land Use Committee Tasha Kama, Chair Nohelani U‘u-Hodgins, Vice Chair From: Grassroot […]
Proposal to extend rail to UH-Manoa just asking for more trouble
The following testimony was submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii for consideration by the Honolulu City Council Infrastructure, Transportation and Technology Committee on Sept. 24, 2025._____________ Sept. 24, 2025, 9 a.m.Honolulu Hale To: Honolulu City Council Infrastructure, Transportation and Technology Committee Radiant Cordero, Chair Val Okimoto, Vice Chair From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii Joe […]
Case, Moylan discuss how Jones Act harms Hawaii, Guam and entire U.S.
The economic harm to America caused by the Jones Act was the topic of an hourlong discussion in Washington, D.C., last week featuring U.S. Rep. Ed Case, a Democrat from Hawaii, and Rep. James Moylan, a Republican from Guam. The pair have co-sponsored legislation aimed specifically at helping the noncontiguous states and territories — Hawaii, […]
