Islanders shouldn’t be taxed extra for teacher bonuses
Union leaders are pushing to raise taxes to pay for teacher bonuses, but this would not make education better.
Working for a better economy, better governance and a better society
How to increase school funding without raising taxes
A new program could offer more money for public and private schools without raising taxes.
Why it’s so expensive to cool Hawaii’s schools
Nalu is a 5th grade student in Hawaii. Like all kids growing up in the islands, she’s used to wearing shorts & t-shirts every day, and having perpetual summer. During the “cooler” months of the year, Nalu has no problem going to school. But something...
How Much Money Does Hawaii Spend Per Student?
When Aaron Leif was younger, his parents tried for years to get him into a better school. However, in Hawaii, parents aren’t allowed to send their children to a different school unless they get a rare district exemption. Finally, when Aaron was a senior in high...
Public Charter Schools
Many of us have heard about “charter schools” here in Hawaii. Charter schools present an alternative to regular public schools under the state Department of Education (DOE), in that they have the freedom to teach students using their own systems and processes, rather...
Education Savings Accounts: A New Way Forward
Taxpayers in Hawaii spend about $1.8 billion on education every year, which is 15 percent of the annual state budget. To fairly distribute funding to each individual school, the Department of Education (DOE) uses a weighted student formula; in other words, the more...
Candidate Speaks Out on Education Spending
Danny Pekus is running for House of Representatives, District 11, South Maui. Joe Kent interviewed him as a part of The Grassroot Institute with Keli’i Akina, a radio show on KAOI 1110AM Maui . Joe: “What is your opinion about the way education looks in...
Local Principal Advocates for Private School Choice
Maria Pauley, principal of Lanakila Baptist School, sat down with Joe Kent as a part of The Grassroot Institute with Keli’i Akina, a radio show on KAOI 1110AM Maui and KKNE 940AM Oahu. Joe: “What does school choice mean?” Maria: “School choice is...
Transient Oriented Schools: Impacting Housing Costs
Forced exactions to fund our government don’t always come from taxing agencies, as we find out this week. Under a 2007 law, our Department of Education (DOE) has the authority to require developers to pay an “impact fee” in high growth areas of the state. The theory...
When Classrooms Get Too Hot, Laie Parents Take Matters into Their Own Hands
Jennifer Kajiyama and Carol Feinga are part of Keep Laie Cool, an initiative working to solve the crisis of Hawaii’s hot classrooms. Joe Kent sat down with them as part of the Grassroot Institute with Dr. Keli’i Akina, a radio show on KAOI 1110AM Maui and KKNE...