by Keli'i Akina, Ph.D. | Nov 2, 2020 | President's Column, PVSA, Tourism
As Hawaii struggles to rebuild its economy following the COVID-19 lockdown, we are faced with big questions about the future of our tourism industry. There is no shortage of suggestions as to how to revive tourism, but realists know that it won’t be as simple as...
by Keli'i Akina, Ph.D. | Oct 23, 2020 | President's Column, Rail, Tourism
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...
by Grassroot Institute of Hawaii | Oct 21, 2020 | Media Releases, Publications, PVSA, Tourism
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...
by Grassroot Institute of Hawaii | Oct 20, 2020 | In the News, Multimedia, Tourism
“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...
by Grassroot Institute of Hawaii | Oct 20, 2020 | Testimony & Letters, Tourism
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...
by Grassroot Institute of Hawaii | Jun 19, 2020 | In the News, Tourism
Keli’i Akina, Ph.D., president and CEO of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, chatted earlier this month with Pacific Media Group COO and MauiNow director Jack Dugan to answer questions about the state of Hawai’i’s economy. MauiNow’s summary of the...
by Grassroot Institute of Hawaii | Jun 27, 2019 | In the News, Tourism
“Let’s not kill the goose that lays the golden egg.” That was the advice of Keli‘i Akina, president of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, speaking Friday, June 21, with popular radio host Michael W. Perry about Honolulu County’s short-term vacation rental policies....
by Keli'i Akina, Ph.D. | Jun 21, 2019 | President's Column, Tourism
The Honolulu County Council this week approved two bills that will impose tough regulations on short-term vacation rentals, pending final approval by the mayor, and this is a cause for worry.The regulatory scheme of these two bills is so strict that it could be...
by Keli'i Akina, Ph.D. | Jun 14, 2019 | President's Column, Tourism
For years, Hawaii has had a strange approach to short-term rental properties, especially those operating without the required county permits. Some residents have decried their impact on our communities and the housing market. Others have depended on them to make ends...
by Joe Kent | May 8, 2019 | Testimony & Letters, Tourism
May 8, 2019 To: Honolulu City Council From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii Joe Kent, Executive vice president Re: Bill 89 — Relating to Short-Term Rentals Comments Only Dear Council Members: The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii would like to offer its comments on Bill 89,...