by Grassroot Institute of Hawaii | Mar 13, 2019 | Featured, Media release, Privatization, Research & Commentary, Website
Hawaii lawmakers need greater flexibility in determining how to deliver public services. HONOLULU, Mar. 13, 2019 >> A small tweak to an old law might be all that is needed to help the state partner with the private sector, according to a new report by the...
by Keli'i Akina, Ph.D. | Mar 13, 2019 | Featured, Government Waste, Research & Commentary, Website
When friends visit the islands, I love to show them Hawaii’s beautiful mountains, beaches and sunsets, but I try to direct their eyes away from the state’s crumbling government infrastructure. The state’s disintegrating roads, brittle bridges and run-down...
by Joe Kent | Mar 8, 2019 | Featured, Privatization, Research & Commentary, Website
At least 11 of Hawaii’s state agencies have each saved thousands of dollars a year by privatizing some of their janitor positions, giving a rare glimpse of the savings that could be possible if more state and county agencies followed this approach. The private...
by Robert W. "Bill" Hastings II | Feb 28, 2019 | Featured, Research & Commentary, Taxes, Website
We’ve heard a lot lately about the need to raise more revenue for the state and county. There have been several proposals discussed: higher GET, higher gas tax, more tourist taxes, etc. Perhaps the discussion should start with some basic questions like: How...
by Jonathan Helton | Feb 13, 2019 | Featured, Jones Act, Research & Commentary, Website
Have you ever wondered why there are only a few ocean common carriers carrying goods between Hawaii and the U.S. mainland? Mainly it has to do with the federal U.S. shipping law known as the Jones Act, otherwise known as Section 27 of the Merchant Marine Act of 1920....
by Josh Mason | Feb 8, 2019 | Featured, Regulation, Research & Commentary, Shared Economy, Website
In the wake of the state announcing that ride-hailing services Uber and Lyft can now pick up customers at Kahului and Kapalua airports, Maui airport taxi drivers are expressing frustration that such companies will essentially be operating as taxis while not having to...
