Grassroot testimonies — late February 2026
The following are state and county testimonies submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii in the latter half of February 2026._____________ STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES >> HB276 HD1 — “Abolish annual sales report and unsold unit fee for CPR builders“ >> HB1611 HD1 — “Give residents a break, waive GE tax on groceries, OTC medication“ […]
How to balance the state budget without hiking taxes
The following “Island Voices” commentary was first published on Feb. 26, 2026, in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser under the headline “With lawmaker will, there are ways to implement tax cuts.”_____________ By Joe Kent and Jonathan Helton Hawaii lawmakers are considering bills that would put an end to the phase in of the historic state income tax cuts that […]
Governor should not suspend public records requests during emergencies
The following testimony was submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii for consideration by the Senate Committee on Judiciary on Feb. 24, 2026._____________ Feb. 24, 2026, 10 a.m.Hawaii State CapitolConference Room 016 and Videoconference To: Senate Committee on Judiciary Sen. Karl Rhoads, Chair Sen. Mike Gabbard, Vice-Chair From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii Ted Kefalas, Director […]
Waive SMA use permit rule for county infrastructure improvements
The following testimony was submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii for consideration by the House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs on Feb. 24, 2026._____________ Feb. 24, 2026, 2 p.m.Hawaii State CapitolConference Room 325 and Videoconference To: House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs Rep. David A. Tarnas, Chair Rep. Mahina Poepoe, Vice Chair […]
LUC should automatically approve county urban redistricting plans
The following testimony was submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii for consideration by the House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs on Feb. 24, 2026._____________ Feb. 24, 2026, 2 p.m.Hawaii State CapitolConference Room 325 and Videoconference To: House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs Rep. David A. Tarnas, Chair Rep. Mahina Poepoe, Vice Chair […]
Reduce required votes for LUC boundary amendments
The following testimony was submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii for consideration by the House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs on Feb. 24, 2026._____________ Feb. 24, 2026, 2 p.m.Hawaii State CapitolConference Room 325 and Videoconference To: House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs Rep. David A. Tarnas, Chair Rep. Mahina Poepoe, Vice Chair […]
Allow dental hygienists to expand scope of practice under guidance
The following testimony was submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii for consideration by the House Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce on Feb. 24, 2026._____________ Feb. 24, 2026 2 p.m.Hawaii State CapitolConference Room 329 and Videoconference To: House Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce Rep. Scot Z. Matayoshi, Chair Rep. Tina Nakada Grandinetti, Vice […]
Lift irrelevant licensing requirements for natural hair braiders
The following testimony was submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii for consideration by the Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection on Feb. 25, 2026._____________ Feb. 25, 2026, 9:32 a.m.Hawaii State CapitolConference Room 229 and Videoconference To: Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole, Chair Sen. Carol Fukunaga, Vice Chair From: […]
Give ‘seagliders’ a chance to fly in Hawaii
The following testimony was submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii for consideration by the Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection on Feb. 25, 2026._____________ Feb. 25, 2026, 9:45 a.m.Hawaii State CapitolConference Room 229 and Videoconference To: Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole, Chair Sen. Carol Fukunaga, Vice Chair From: […]
Reform CON laws to improve healthcare access
The following testimony was submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii for consideration by the Senate Committee on Ways and Means on Feb. 25, 2026._____________ Feb. 25, 2026, 10:55 a.m. Hawaii State CapitolConference Room 211 and Videoconference To: Senate Committee on Ways and Means Sen. Donovan M. Dela Cruz, Chair Sen. Sharon Y. Moriwaki, Vice Chair […]
