Featuring: Joe Kent
Executive vice president, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii

Discover Hawaii’s economic challenges and the power of civic engagement

Joe Kent, an experienced educator and executive vice president of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, is offering to speak with Hawaii students about the key challenges facing Hawaii’s economy and the importance of civic participation.

Kent is skilled at making complex topics fun and relatable, and is prepared to discuss the following topics in 30- to 60-minute presentations that can align with your lesson plans and encourage active participation.

Suitable for grades 5–12, with topics adjustable to meet student understanding, Kent’s presentations are interactive, thought-provoking and tailored to fit classroom objectives.

Presentation topics:

>> Hawaii’s public debt: Learn about Hawaii’s billions of dollars of government debt that ultimately will fall on Hawaii’s next generation, and explore policy options on how to prevent that.

>> Hawaii’s cost of living: Find out why it costs so much to live in Hawaii, and how taxes, regulations, shipping laws and other factors contribute to the problem.

>> Hawaii’s energy future: Learn about the challenges Hawaii faces in attempting to switch to 100% renewable energy.

>> Hawaii taxes and the economy: Find out how taxation and government spending can help or harm the strength and resiliency of Hawaii’ economy.

>> Hawaii’s housing crisis: Learn why housing in Hawaii is so expensive and what policies could be changed to facilitate more homebuilding.

>> The legislative process: Learn how bills at both the state and county levels become law and why it matters.

Availability and contact details:

To schedule a session or learn more, contact Melissa Rabideau at (808) 864-1776 or mrabideau@grassrootinstitute.org.

Downloads:

Click here to download a letter-size poster. Click here to download a tabloid-size poster.