Working for a better economy, better government and a better society
‘Smart’ spending cap would be wise for Maui
The Maui County Council is planning to increase property taxes to balance its proposed fiscal 2020 budget, but a far better option would be to impose a “smart” spending cap that would eventually bring its spending in line with its income — without raising taxes. A...
Akina rides again with ‘Perry & the Posse’
Hawaii radio personality Michael W. Perry once again hosted Keli‘i Akina, president of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, on his popular KSSK show “Perry & The Posse.” Introducing Akina on his morning show this past Thursday, May 2, as “one of the people you...
Akina decries Hawaii Legislature’s ‘backward budgeting’
The Hawaii Legislature has been considering a $16 billion budget for fiscal year 2020 that would spend more money than it’s projected to take in. As a result, it is scrambling to find new ways to raise tax revenue, and that, says Keli’i Akina, president of the...
Akina pans HART’s P3 plan in Star-Advertiser
The following is an excerpt from an article that appeared Sunday, March 17, in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, “Federal investigation, funding issues increase risk for rail bidders.” It features comments by Grassroot Institute of Hawaii President...
Leasehold state housing won’t solve housing crisis
The Hawaii Legislature is considering forming a new state agency that would build high-rise condominium units on state land that it would sell for about $300,000 each under 99-year leases. But the proposal, called ALOHA Homes, would not be the answer to...