City ‘living wage’ not only unsound but also not allowed by state law
The following testimony was submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii for consideration by the Honolulu Charter Commission on Dec. 15, 2025._____________ Dec. 15, 2025, 2:30 p.m.Honolulu Hale To: Honolulu Charter Commission Dawn Szewczyk, Chair Sommerset Yamamoto, Vice Chair From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii Ted Kefalas, Director of Strategic Campaigns RE: P024 — RELATING TO […]
Reject empty homes tax proposal
The following testimony was submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii for consideration by the Honolulu Charter Commission on Dec. 15, 2025._____________ Dec. 15, 2025, 2:30 p.m.Honolulu Hale To: Honolulu Charter Commission Dawn Szewczyk, Chair Sommerset Yamamoto, Vice Chair From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii Ted Kefalas, Director of Strategic Campaigns RE: P170 — RELATING TO […]
Require fiscal assessments for all proposed bills, Charter amendments
The following testimony was submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii for consideration by the Honolulu Charter Commission on Dec. 15, 2025._____________ Dec. 15, 2025, 2:30 p.m.Honolulu Hale To: Honolulu Charter Commission Dawn Szewczyk, Chair Sommerset Yamamoto, Vice Chair From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii Ted Kefalas, Director of Strategic Campaigns RE: P066 and P156 — […]
Amend when tax exemption for newly acquired home takes effect
The following testimony was submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii for consideration by the Maui County Council, Special Committee on Real Property Tax Reform on Dec. 9, 2025._____________ Dec. 9, 2025, 1:30 p.m.Kalana O Maui Building To: Maui County Council, Special Committee on Real Property Tax Reform Alice Lee, Chair Keani Rawlins-Fernandez, Vice Chair […]
Increase property tax exemption for owners of long-term rentals
The following testimony was submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii for consideration by the Maui County Council, Special Committee on Real Property Tax Reform on Dec. 9, 2025._____________ Dec. 9, 2025, 1:30 p.m.Kalana O Maui Building To: Maui County Council, Special Committee on Real Property Tax Reform Alice Lee, Chair Keani Rawlins-Fernandez, Vice Chair […]
Proposed STR phaseout is legal, economic crisis waiting to happen
The following testimony was submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii for consideration by the Maui County Council on Dec. 15, 2025._____________ Dec. 15, 2025, 9 a.m.Council Chamber, Kalana O Maui Building To: Maui County Council Alice Lee, Chair Yuki Lei Sugimura, Vice Chair From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii Joe Kent, Executive Vice President RE: […]
End or reduce capital gains tax on housing to incentivize home sales
The following commentary was first published on Dec. 12, 2025, in The Hill under the headline “To help lower housing prices, repeal capital gains taxes on home sales.”_____________ By Mark Coleman and Jonathan Helton Housing prices across the U.S. are nearing historic highs relative to median household incomes, and many Americans can no longer afford to buy […]
There’s a new kids’ market in town
Want to feel inspired about the future of liberty and entrepreneurship in Hawaii — and get in some Christmas shopping at the same time? I suggest you go next Saturday to the Children’s Entrepreneur Market at the Pearlridge Farm Lovers Market in Aiea, which is a project intended to help children learn about entrepreneurship, innovation and leadership […]
