Oct. 14, 2026, 8:30 a.m. Lihue Civic Center To: Kaua'i County Council Mel Rapozo, Chair KipuKai Kuali'i, Vice Chair From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii Jonathan Helton, Senior Policy Analyst RE: Bill 3009 — RELATING TO THE HOUSING POLICY FOR THE COUNTY OF KAUA'I Aloha Chair Rapozo, Vice Chair Kuali'i and
Oct. 13, 2026, 9 a.m. Lihue Civic Center To: Kaua'i County Planning Commission Gerald Ako, Chair Helen Cox, Vice Chair From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii Jonathan Helton, Senior Policy Analyst RE: ZA-2027-1 — RELATING TO APIARIES AND BEEKEEPING Aloha Chair Ako, Vice Chair Cox and other members of the Committee,
One of the most effective ways for lawmakers to reduce poverty in Hawaii wouldn’t cost taxpayers a dime: housing reform. According to a new study from Pew Charitable Trusts, the state’s poverty rate would decline by 26% and its child poverty rate by 36% if housing policies led to a 20%
The latest edition of the State of Hawaii Data Book, released last month by the Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, underscores the state’s ongoing challenges with rising living expenses and population loss. First produced in 1962, the data book features statistics from private sector and federal, state
Sep. 22, 2026, 2:30 p.m. Honolulu Hale To: Honolulu City Council Committee on Housing, Homelessness and Parks Andria Tupola, Chair Augie Tulba, Vice Chair From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii Ted Kefalas, Director of Strategic Campaigns RE: Bill 18 (2026), CD1 — RELATING TO AFFORDABLE RENTAL HOUSING Aloha Chair Tupola, Vice
It is often said that housing can be built in, up or out. In other words, by adding homes where some already exist, constructing taller buildings or developing untouched land. The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii has long championed allowing more homebuilding in residential areas as a way to bring down housing
July 8, 2026, 2:30 p.m. Honolulu Hale To: Honolulu City Council Committee on Housing, Homelessness and Parks Andria Tupola, Chair Augie Tulba, Vice Chair From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii Ted Kefalas, Director of Strategic Campaigns RE: Bill 18 (2026), CD1 — RELATING TO AFFORDABLE RENTAL HOUSING Aloha Chair Tupola, Vice
Aug. 25, 2026, 2:30 p.m. Honolulu Hale To: Honolulu City Council Committee on Housing, Homelessness and Parks Andria Tupola, Chair Augie Tulba, Vice Chair From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii Ted Kefalas, Director of Strategic Campaigns RE: Bill 30 (2026), CD1 — RELATING TO PUBLIC PARKS Aloha Chair Tupola, Vice Chair
My heart goes out to all the families and business owners throughout our islands who are faced with recovering from yet another natural disaster. Just last week, Hurricane Lala battered Hawaii Island and continued on a path of destruction across the state, making it Hawaii Island's closest brush with a
A federal law passed in July could nudge Hawaii’s state and local governments to make it easier to build new housing by reforming their zoning codes and adopting preapproved building plans. All four members of Hawaii’s congressional delegation voted for the sweeping 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, which made
Oct. 14, 2026, 8:30 a.m. Lihue Civic Center To: Kaua'i County Council Mel Rapozo, Chair KipuKai Kuali'i, Vice Chair From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii Jonathan Helton, Senior Policy Analyst RE: Bill 3009 — RELATING TO THE HOUSING POLICY FOR THE COUNTY OF KAUA'I Aloha Chair Rapozo, Vice Chair Kuali'i and
Oct. 13, 2026, 9 a.m. Lihue Civic Center To: Kaua'i County Planning Commission Gerald Ako, Chair Helen Cox, Vice Chair From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii Jonathan Helton, Senior Policy Analyst RE: ZA-2027-1 — RELATING TO APIARIES AND BEEKEEPING Aloha Chair Ako, Vice Chair Cox and other members of the Committee,
One of the most effective ways for lawmakers to reduce poverty in Hawaii wouldn’t cost taxpayers a dime: housing reform. According to a new study from Pew Charitable Trusts, the state’s poverty rate would decline by 26% and its child poverty rate by 36% if housing policies led to a 20%
The latest edition of the State of Hawaii Data Book, released last month by the Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, underscores the state’s ongoing challenges with rising living expenses and population loss. First produced in 1962, the data book features statistics from private sector and federal, state
Sep. 22, 2026, 2:30 p.m. Honolulu Hale To: Honolulu City Council Committee on Housing, Homelessness and Parks Andria Tupola, Chair Augie Tulba, Vice Chair From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii Ted Kefalas, Director of Strategic Campaigns RE: Bill 18 (2026), CD1 — RELATING TO AFFORDABLE RENTAL HOUSING Aloha Chair Tupola, Vice
It is often said that housing can be built in, up or out. In other words, by adding homes where some already exist, constructing taller buildings or developing untouched land. The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii has long championed allowing more homebuilding in residential areas as a way to bring down housing
July 8, 2026, 2:30 p.m. Honolulu Hale To: Honolulu City Council Committee on Housing, Homelessness and Parks Andria Tupola, Chair Augie Tulba, Vice Chair From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii Ted Kefalas, Director of Strategic Campaigns RE: Bill 18 (2026), CD1 — RELATING TO AFFORDABLE RENTAL HOUSING Aloha Chair Tupola, Vice
Aug. 25, 2026, 2:30 p.m. Honolulu Hale To: Honolulu City Council Committee on Housing, Homelessness and Parks Andria Tupola, Chair Augie Tulba, Vice Chair From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii Ted Kefalas, Director of Strategic Campaigns RE: Bill 30 (2026), CD1 — RELATING TO PUBLIC PARKS Aloha Chair Tupola, Vice Chair
My heart goes out to all the families and business owners throughout our islands who are faced with recovering from yet another natural disaster. Just last week, Hurricane Lala battered Hawaii Island and continued on a path of destruction across the state, making it Hawaii Island's closest brush with a
A federal law passed in July could nudge Hawaii’s state and local governments to make it easier to build new housing by reforming their zoning codes and adopting preapproved building plans. All four members of Hawaii’s congressional delegation voted for the sweeping 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, which made
