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Issues

Educating children hailed as key to preserving principles of liberty

We cannot carry on our country’s spirit of freedom and liberty without preparing the next generation to do so. Children’s’ book author and liberty advocate Connor Boyack shared that message last week as the featured speaker at the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii’s final luncheon event of the year. “We would

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Think small to help resolve Kaua‘i’s housing crisis

The following commentary was originally published Sept. 27, 2023, in The Garden Island newspaper on Kaua‘i. _____________ If Kaua‘i County lawmakers would like to get ahead of the housing crisis curve, they should consider allowing homebuilding on lot sizes smaller than currently allowed. The simple truth is that larger houses cost more.

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The secret to reaching the next generation

If you want to create a generation of leaders and engaged voters for the future, you need to understand what is going on with our education system today. And according to Connor Boyack, the featured speaker at the latest Grassroot Institute of Hawaii luncheon, our education system isn’t doing so

Read More →

Lahaina fire lawsuits hamstring release of information, apologies

As government officials look to rebuild in the aftermath of the Lahaina fire, Joe Kent, executive vice president of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, said protecting landowners’ property rights should be their top priority.  Kent told radio host Rick Hamada on NewsRadio 830 KHVH last week that “everyone got nervous”

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Governor’s revised housing proclamation caves to NIMBYs

State and county leaders need to take “bold action” to fix Hawaii’s housing crisis in response to Gov. Josh Green modifying his emergency proclamation on housing, said Ted Kefalas, speaking on Sunday with H. Hawaii Media radio host Johnny Miro. “It is a shame to see the governor and his

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India abolishes its ‘Jones Act,’ could be role model for U.S.

India has abolished its equivalent of the Jones Act — America’s 1920 U.S. maritime law that prohibits foreign shipping competition between U.S. ports and adds to American business and consumer costs. According to news sources such as Splash 24/7 and the India-based National Herald, leading government officials in the world’s

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Kauai homeowners could save $150 each from higher exemption

The following testimony was submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii for consideration by the Kauai County Council on Sept. 20, 2023. _____________ September 20, 2023 8:30 a.m. Kauai County Council Chambers To: Kaua‘i County Council       Councilmember Mel Rapozo, Chair       Councilmember KipuKai Kuali‘i, Vice Chair From:

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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 →

Has HART gone off the rails again?

When will the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation learn that a lack of openness undermines public trust in the rail? HART has been dogged by questions about transparency and accountability for years. We’ve witnessed the agency’s seeming reluctance to conduct a forensic audit, confusion over the status of the Federal

Read More →

Action needed to lessen impact of Maui wildfires on economy, housing crisis

The resignation of the state’s first-ever chief housing officer shows “how difficult it is to get things done in government,” Grassroot Institute Director of Strategic Campaigns Ted Kefalas said last week during the Rick Hamada Program on NewsRadio 830 KHVH.  “It’s really sad because [Nani Medeiros] was somebody that was

Read More →

Educating children hailed as key to preserving principles of liberty

We cannot carry on our country’s spirit of freedom and liberty without preparing the next generation to do so. Children’s’ book author and liberty advocate Connor Boyack shared that message last week as the featured speaker at the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii’s final luncheon event of the year. “We would

Read More →

Think small to help resolve Kaua‘i’s housing crisis

The following commentary was originally published Sept. 27, 2023, in The Garden Island newspaper on Kaua‘i. _____________ If Kaua‘i County lawmakers would like to get ahead of the housing crisis curve, they should consider allowing homebuilding on lot sizes smaller than currently allowed. The simple truth is that larger houses cost more.

Read More →

The secret to reaching the next generation

If you want to create a generation of leaders and engaged voters for the future, you need to understand what is going on with our education system today. And according to Connor Boyack, the featured speaker at the latest Grassroot Institute of Hawaii luncheon, our education system isn’t doing so

Read More →

Lahaina fire lawsuits hamstring release of information, apologies

As government officials look to rebuild in the aftermath of the Lahaina fire, Joe Kent, executive vice president of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, said protecting landowners’ property rights should be their top priority.  Kent told radio host Rick Hamada on NewsRadio 830 KHVH last week that “everyone got nervous”

Read More →

Governor’s revised housing proclamation caves to NIMBYs

State and county leaders need to take “bold action” to fix Hawaii’s housing crisis in response to Gov. Josh Green modifying his emergency proclamation on housing, said Ted Kefalas, speaking on Sunday with H. Hawaii Media radio host Johnny Miro. “It is a shame to see the governor and his

Read More →

India abolishes its ‘Jones Act,’ could be role model for U.S.

India has abolished its equivalent of the Jones Act — America’s 1920 U.S. maritime law that prohibits foreign shipping competition between U.S. ports and adds to American business and consumer costs. According to news sources such as Splash 24/7 and the India-based National Herald, leading government officials in the world’s

Read More →

Kauai homeowners could save $150 each from higher exemption

The following testimony was submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii for consideration by the Kauai County Council on Sept. 20, 2023. _____________ September 20, 2023 8:30 a.m. Kauai County Council Chambers To: Kaua‘i County Council       Councilmember Mel Rapozo, Chair       Councilmember KipuKai Kuali‘i, Vice Chair From:

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 →

Has HART gone off the rails again?

When will the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation learn that a lack of openness undermines public trust in the rail? HART has been dogged by questions about transparency and accountability for years. We’ve witnessed the agency’s seeming reluctance to conduct a forensic audit, confusion over the status of the Federal

Read More →

Action needed to lessen impact of Maui wildfires on economy, housing crisis

The resignation of the state’s first-ever chief housing officer shows “how difficult it is to get things done in government,” Grassroot Institute Director of Strategic Campaigns Ted Kefalas said last week during the Rick Hamada Program on NewsRadio 830 KHVH.  “It’s really sad because [Nani Medeiros] was somebody that was

Read More →