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“Hawaii Together”

Hawaii should index income tax brackets, deductions to inflation

If Hawaii wants to stem the flow of residents to the mainland, it must change the state’s tax system — soon. Andrey Yushkov, a senior policy analyst with the Tax Foundation based in Washington, D.C., suggested that the state look at improving its income tax system in particular, which is

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Steps we could take to help Lahaina rebuild more quickly

Above, Ray Michaels, president of Maui Plumbing Inc. and guest on “Hawaii Together.” Finding temporary shelter for Maui residents displaced by last month’s massive wildfires remains an urgent need, but Ray Michaels, president of Maui Plumbing Inc., is worried about the capacity of homebuilders to meet that demand quickly. Speaking

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How parking reform could help boost Hawaii’s housing stock

One issue affecting Hawaii’s critical need for housing is something most people don’t think about: the parking requirements for planned structures.  During the latest episode of “Hawaii Together” on ThinkTech Hawaii, Keli‘i Akina, president of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, was joined by an expert on the subject: Tony Jordan,

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Staircase proposal could be small step toward more housing

Can single-stair construction actually reduce building costs and contribute to alleviating our housing shortage? That was among the questions host Keli‘i Akina asked guest Stephen Smith on the most recent episode of “Hawaii Together” on ThinkTech Hawaii.  Smith, founder and executive director of the Center for Building in North America,

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Tupola says empowering people is her motivation

In 2021, not long after Andria Tupola joined the Honolulu City Council, the then-director of the Department of Planning and Permitting told her the DPP had a backlog of about 8,000 permits. On a recent episode of “Hawaii Together” on ThinkTech Hawaii, Tupola told host Joe Kent, executive vice president

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Akina, Miyamoto discuss challenges facing Hawaii ag

Farming and agriculture have been steadily declining in Hawaii in recent decades, but Brian Miyamoto, executive director of the Hawaii Farm Bureau, has a vision to rejuvenate the industry.  On the latest episode of “Hawaii Together” on ThinkTech Hawaii, Miyamoto joined program host Keliʻi Akina, president and CEO of the

Read More →

Hawaii among victims of law that hinders U.S. port dredging

The 1920 Jones Act is a familiar topic in Hawaii, but its precursor — the Foreign Dredge Act of 1906 — has largely escaped scrutiny.  However, Montana resident Brad Tomasovic researched the maritime law for a year to become the national high school debate champion and shared what he learned with

Read More →

Foley hails Legislature’s inroads on corruption

The recently concluded 2023 legislative session might have been disappointing on many fronts. But not all was doom and gloom. According to retired Judge Dan Foley, meaningful progress was made in the fight to improve transparency and accountability in our government.  On the latest episode of “Hawaii Together” on ThinkTech

Read More →

‘Empty homes’ tax won’t fix supply-side housing crisis

The idea of taxing so-called empty homes has gained currency in recent years among state and county lawmakers. But what is the evidence that such a tax can really work?  On the latest episode of “Hawaii Together,” guest Jensen Ahokovi told host Keli‘i Akina, president of the Grassroot Institute of

Read More →

Can invasive species become part of Hawaii’s kitchen?

Hawaii’s various invasive species could provide an opportunity to expand meat production, but there are a few barriers, according to Bryan Mayer, a nationally recognized meat educator and butcher who appeared on this week’s episode of “Hawaii Together” on ThinkTech Hawaii. “Hawaii has an unbelievable amount of resources to feed

Read More →

Hawaii should index income tax brackets, deductions to inflation

If Hawaii wants to stem the flow of residents to the mainland, it must change the state’s tax system — soon. Andrey Yushkov, a senior policy analyst with the Tax Foundation based in Washington, D.C., suggested that the state look at improving its income tax system in particular, which is

Read More →

Steps we could take to help Lahaina rebuild more quickly

Above, Ray Michaels, president of Maui Plumbing Inc. and guest on “Hawaii Together.” Finding temporary shelter for Maui residents displaced by last month’s massive wildfires remains an urgent need, but Ray Michaels, president of Maui Plumbing Inc., is worried about the capacity of homebuilders to meet that demand quickly. Speaking

Read More →

How parking reform could help boost Hawaii’s housing stock

One issue affecting Hawaii’s critical need for housing is something most people don’t think about: the parking requirements for planned structures.  During the latest episode of “Hawaii Together” on ThinkTech Hawaii, Keli‘i Akina, president of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, was joined by an expert on the subject: Tony Jordan,

Read More →

Staircase proposal could be small step toward more housing

Can single-stair construction actually reduce building costs and contribute to alleviating our housing shortage? That was among the questions host Keli‘i Akina asked guest Stephen Smith on the most recent episode of “Hawaii Together” on ThinkTech Hawaii.  Smith, founder and executive director of the Center for Building in North America,

Read More →

Tupola says empowering people is her motivation

In 2021, not long after Andria Tupola joined the Honolulu City Council, the then-director of the Department of Planning and Permitting told her the DPP had a backlog of about 8,000 permits. On a recent episode of “Hawaii Together” on ThinkTech Hawaii, Tupola told host Joe Kent, executive vice president

Read More →

Akina, Miyamoto discuss challenges facing Hawaii ag

Farming and agriculture have been steadily declining in Hawaii in recent decades, but Brian Miyamoto, executive director of the Hawaii Farm Bureau, has a vision to rejuvenate the industry.  On the latest episode of “Hawaii Together” on ThinkTech Hawaii, Miyamoto joined program host Keliʻi Akina, president and CEO of the

Read More →

Hawaii among victims of law that hinders U.S. port dredging

The 1920 Jones Act is a familiar topic in Hawaii, but its precursor — the Foreign Dredge Act of 1906 — has largely escaped scrutiny.  However, Montana resident Brad Tomasovic researched the maritime law for a year to become the national high school debate champion and shared what he learned with

Read More →

Foley hails Legislature’s inroads on corruption

The recently concluded 2023 legislative session might have been disappointing on many fronts. But not all was doom and gloom. According to retired Judge Dan Foley, meaningful progress was made in the fight to improve transparency and accountability in our government.  On the latest episode of “Hawaii Together” on ThinkTech

Read More →

‘Empty homes’ tax won’t fix supply-side housing crisis

The idea of taxing so-called empty homes has gained currency in recent years among state and county lawmakers. But what is the evidence that such a tax can really work?  On the latest episode of “Hawaii Together,” guest Jensen Ahokovi told host Keli‘i Akina, president of the Grassroot Institute of

Read More →

Can invasive species become part of Hawaii’s kitchen?

Hawaii’s various invasive species could provide an opportunity to expand meat production, but there are a few barriers, according to Bryan Mayer, a nationally recognized meat educator and butcher who appeared on this week’s episode of “Hawaii Together” on ThinkTech Hawaii. “Hawaii has an unbelievable amount of resources to feed

Read More →