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
The following article was published originally in Honolulu Civil Beat on Wednesday, May 24, 2023. ____________ Recent vacancy tax proposals such as Honolulu’s Bill 9 and Bill 76 have been inspired by the belief that vacant or “empty” homes are a significant cause of Hawaii’s housing crisis. However, a comprehensive
It’s bad enough that Hawaii lawmakers have proposed exceeding the state’s legal spending by almost 25%, but they also appropriated $200 million to Gov. Josh Green for him to spend however he likes, and that’s not right, according to Joe Kent, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii executive vice president. Interviewed by
Is there relief for rising property taxes on Oahu? That was the question posed to guests on the March 23 edition of PBS Hawaii’s “Insights” program, which included Keli‘i Akina, president and CEO of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii. Other panelists were Honolulu City Councilmember “Uncle” Calvin Say; Andy Kawano,
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. Conference Room 016 Via Videoconference To: Senate Committee on Judiciary Senator Karl Rhoads, Chair Senator
The following testimony was submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii for consideration by the Honolulu City and County Council Committee on Zoning on April 5, 2023. _____________ April 5, 2023 9 a.m. Honolulu City Council Chambers To: Honolulu City and County Council, Committee on Zoning Councilmember Calvin Say,
The following testimony was submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii for consideration by the Honolulu City and County Council Committee on Zoning on April 5, 2023. _____________ April 5, 2023 9 a.m. Honolulu City Council Chambers To: Honolulu City and County Council, Committee on Zoning Councilmember Calvin Say,
The following testimony was submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii for consideration by the Honolulu City and County Council Committee on Zoning on April 5, 2023. _____________ April 5, 2023 9 a.m. Honolulu City Council Chambers To: Honolulu City and County Council, Committee on Zoning Councilmember Calvin Say, Chair
It seems a lot of people were surprised last week to hear that the huge Walmart store in Downtown Honolulu will be closing this month. It’s tempting to speculate about what this means for the future of retail in the area, but we shouldn’t make broad assumptions based on the closure of
The following testimony was submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii for consideration by the House Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce on March 21, 2023. _____________ March 21, 2023 2 p.m. Conference Room 329 and Via Videoconference To: House Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce Rep.
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
The following article was published originally in Honolulu Civil Beat on Wednesday, May 24, 2023. ____________ Recent vacancy tax proposals such as Honolulu’s Bill 9 and Bill 76 have been inspired by the belief that vacant or “empty” homes are a significant cause of Hawaii’s housing crisis. However, a comprehensive
It’s bad enough that Hawaii lawmakers have proposed exceeding the state’s legal spending by almost 25%, but they also appropriated $200 million to Gov. Josh Green for him to spend however he likes, and that’s not right, according to Joe Kent, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii executive vice president. Interviewed by
Is there relief for rising property taxes on Oahu? That was the question posed to guests on the March 23 edition of PBS Hawaii’s “Insights” program, which included Keli‘i Akina, president and CEO of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii. Other panelists were Honolulu City Councilmember “Uncle” Calvin Say; Andy Kawano,
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. Conference Room 016 Via Videoconference To: Senate Committee on Judiciary Senator Karl Rhoads, Chair Senator
The following testimony was submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii for consideration by the Honolulu City and County Council Committee on Zoning on April 5, 2023. _____________ April 5, 2023 9 a.m. Honolulu City Council Chambers To: Honolulu City and County Council, Committee on Zoning Councilmember Calvin Say,
The following testimony was submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii for consideration by the Honolulu City and County Council Committee on Zoning on April 5, 2023. _____________ April 5, 2023 9 a.m. Honolulu City Council Chambers To: Honolulu City and County Council, Committee on Zoning Councilmember Calvin Say,
The following testimony was submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii for consideration by the Honolulu City and County Council Committee on Zoning on April 5, 2023. _____________ April 5, 2023 9 a.m. Honolulu City Council Chambers To: Honolulu City and County Council, Committee on Zoning Councilmember Calvin Say, Chair
It seems a lot of people were surprised last week to hear that the huge Walmart store in Downtown Honolulu will be closing this month. It’s tempting to speculate about what this means for the future of retail in the area, but we shouldn’t make broad assumptions based on the closure of
The following testimony was submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii for consideration by the House Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce on March 21, 2023. _____________ March 21, 2023 2 p.m. Conference Room 329 and Via Videoconference To: House Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce Rep.
