Accountability

Grassroot Scholar O’Toole seeks public records on state agency’s ‘affordable’ housing costs

Grassroot Institute of Hawaii October 5, 2023

Groundbreaking ceremony for Wailuku Apartments, a 324-unit workforce rental project in Central Maui scheduled for completion in 2025. The following testimony was submitted by Grassroot Scholar and Thoreau Institute founder Randal O’Toole for consideration by the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation at its pubic hearing on Oct. 4, 2023.

Governor’s housing proclamation could be a ‘Pandora’s box’

Grassroot Institute of Hawaii October 4, 2023

After years of legislative inaction on Hawaii’s housing crisis, Gov. Josh Green took a decisive step in July by issuing an emergency proclamation, slashing much of the red tape that hinders homebuilding. But do the ends justify the means? That was the question co-hosts Tom Yamachika and Mark Coleman discussed

Resolutions would ease hiring challenges, save city money

Grassroot Institute of Hawaii September 5, 2023

The following testimony was submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii for consideration by the Honolulu City and County Council on Sept. 6, 2023. _____________ September 6, 2023 10 a.m. Honolulu City Council Chambers To: Honolulu City and County Council Councilmember Tommy Waters, Chair

Resolutions could help fill critical Honolulu County jobs, cut costs

Grassroot Institute of Hawaii August 22, 2023

The following testimony was submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii for consideration by the Honolulu City and County Council Committee on Executive Matters and Legal Affairs on Aug. 22, 2023. _____________ August 22, 2023 1 p.m. Honolulu City Council Chambers To: Honolulu City and County Council, Committee on Executive

Housing proclamation raises ‘questions galore,’ Kent says

Grassroot Institute of Hawaii August 7, 2023

Question marks galore. That’s how Joe Kent, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii executive vice president, described Gov. Josh Green’s recent housing proclamation during his latest visit to the Rick Hamada Program on KHVH News Radio 830. Kent said that given Hawaii’s status as the most regulated housing market in the nation,

It’s up to us to fight corruption

Keli'i Akina, Ph.D. June 9, 2023

Legal reforms can go a long way. But when it comes to putting a stop to longstanding corruption in Hawaii, the biggest impact of all will have to come from Hawaii’s voters. That’s my most important takeaway from the conversation I had with Judge Dan Foley during this week’s episode

Foley hails Legislature’s inroads on corruption

Grassroot Institute of Hawaii June 8, 2023

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

Bill 22 (2023): Mandatory public hearings for assessment hikes could fend off ‘marginal’ spending

Grassroot Institute of Hawaii April 18, 2023

The following testimony was submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii for consideration by the Honolulu City and County Council on April 19, 2023. _____________ April 19, 2023 10 a.m. Honolulu City Council Chambers To: Honolulu City and County Council Councilmember Tommy Waters, Chair Councilmember Esther Kiaʻāina, Vice

SB1522 SD2 HD1: Rhetorical facelift won’t fix HTA problems

Grassroot Institute of Hawaii April 5, 2023

The following testimony was submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii for consideration by the House Committee on Finance on April 5, 2023. _____________ April 5, 2023 2 p.m. Conference Room 308 and via videoconference To: House Committee on Finance Rep. Kyle T. Yamashita, Chair Rep. Lisa Kitagawa, Vice Chair

HB522 HD1: Protect electronic communication even in crises

Grassroot Institute of Hawaii April 5, 2023

The following testimony was submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii for consideration by the Senate Committee on Judiciary on April 5, 2023. _____________ April 5, 2023 9:45 a.m. VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE Conference Room 016 To: Senate Committee on Judiciary Sen. Karl Rhoads, Chair Sen. Mike Gabbard, Vice Chair From: Grassroot