Working for a better economy, better government and a better society
It’s not a mystery why Hawaii is hurting
True or false? State economies are growing all across the United States, but none as slowly as Hawaii’s, which is virtually stagnant. Hawaii is one of the lowest-ranked among all 50 states in terms of economic freedom. The Aloha State has shown negative...
Protect the nation: Reform the Jones Act
When it comes to Jones Act reform, the debate often comes down to costs versus national security. No one seriously argues that the Act doesn’t raise prices for businesses and consumers: It is basic economics that restricting the transport of goods between U.S. ports...
Council should be more cautious when considering bills
The Honolulu City Council may be on the verge of learning a difficult lesson about the consequences of hasty legislation. In just a few short months, the Council has considered three bills that could have a significant impact on the local economy. Two of those bills...
Why we have a housing crisis in Hawaii
It’s as true for housing as it is for designer jeans: When supply can’t keep up with demand, prices go up and people get angry. The big difference, of course, is that a shortage of denim doesn’t generally create a crisis. A shortage of housing does. No one contests...
Honolulu City Council’s PLA proposal is pilau
What happens when a government tries to fix a system that isn’t broken? Usually, the taxpayers pay the price. That is what might happen if Honolulu’s mayor approves a measure that would restrict the use of nonunion labor on city contracts worth over $2 million....