Remember when U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye led the charge for Jones Act reform?
“If you are going to get the cost of living down … you are going to have to get the Jones Act amended.” Alaska Gov. Walter Hickel, speaking to the Hawaii Chamber of Commerce, Sept. 12, 1967[1] _________________ THESE DAYS it is almost a rite of passage for Hawaii...
Can Hawaii’s lockdowns be overturned in court?
Many groups nationwide have filed lawsuits against the coronavirus emergency orders declared by their governors. Some have been successful. Others not, including at least two so far in Hawaii, in both state and federal court. Can Hawaii’s seemingly interminable state...
Rail and Bill 80 represent old way of thinking
I’ve been saying that Hawaii’s policymakers need to respond to the economic impact of the COVID-19 lockdowns with bold ideas. I should have clarified that by “bold ideas” I meant new thinking, not the relentless pursuit of the same old big government policies. In...
Old federal maritime law holds back Hawaii tourism, new report shows
The following is a news release sent out to all Hawaii media on Oct. 21, 2020. ____________ Ocean cruising has been suspended during the lockdowns, but when it resumes, it needs more freedom to benefit Hawaii HONOLULU, Oct. 21, 2020 >> Ocean cruising is a...
Bill 80 could ‘wreak havoc’ on Oahu hotels, Akina says on Mike Buck Show
"It looks like that we've a controversy on our hands," said Hawaii talk show host Mike Buck, speaking Tuesday morning (Oct. 20, 2020) to his devoted KHNR AM 690 or FM 94.3 radio audience. In fact, said the popular veteran broadcaster, "I know we have a controversy on...
‘Panos’ estimates rail cost to reach at least $13 billion
Honolulu's overbudget and behind-schedule rail system continues to climb in cost, and now probably will cost at least $13 billion by the time it is finished, according to University of Hawaii civil engineering professor Panos Prevedouros. Prevedouros was the guest on...
Testimony: Bill 80 could hurt Oahu’s hotels and employees more than help
This testimony was submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii on Oct. 19, 2020, to the Honolulu City Council's Committee on Executive Matters and Legal Affairs. _______________ To: Ron Menor, Chair, and Carol Fukunaga, Vice Chair From: Joe Kent, Grassroot...
How to diversify Hawaii’s economy
We’ve heard the mantra for many decades: Hawaii’s economy needs to diversify. But lately we’re hearing it even more, thanks to the collapse of our state’s biggest industry, tourism, due to the coronavirus lockdowns implemented in March that continue to this day. The...
Hawaii debt increases $9 billion over past 8 months, to $97 billion
The following is a news release that was sent to all Hawaii media on Oct. 15, 2020. ______________ HONOLULU, Oct. 15, 2020 >> Hawaii’s unfunded liabilities for infrastructure and public health benefits have increased so far this year to $97 billion, according to...
Best plan for more housing on Maui is to scale back county housing plans
This article was originally published in The Maui News on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020. _______________ It’s no secret that Maui is suffering from a housing crisis. Lack of housing is one of the most common complaints of those who leave the state, and the high price of...
Great Lockdown Crash of 2020 is wake-up call for Hawaii lawmakers
This commentary was originally published, without the footnotes, in The Garden Island on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020. _____________ Warren Buffett once said, "You only learn who has been swimming naked when the tide goes out.”[1] That includes states, and now that the tide...
Rein in this red-tape rascal to encourage more housing
Photo by Charley Myers When your state lacks sufficient housing, the last thing you should do is make building a difficult, risky and lengthy process. But that’s exactly what Hawaii has done by creating levels of bureaucracy that strangle development. On this week’s...