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Housing, Land Use & Zoning

Permit me to thank county officials again

How long should Oahu residents have to wait for a permit to repair or renovate their homes? A few days? Weeks? Months? As recently as 2017, it took about three months. That might seem short compared to the average wait now of about six months, but it’s still too long.

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Bill 6: Let private vendors review building permits

The following testimony was submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii for consideration by the Honolulu City and County Council Committee on Zoning on July 26, 2023. _____________ July 26, 2023 9 a.m. Honolulu City Council Chambers To: Honolulu City and County Council, Committee on Zoning       Councilmember Calvin Say,

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What I think about the governor’s housing proclamation

Gov. Josh Green issued an emergency proclamation this week aimed at easing Hawaii’s housing crisis, and from its very first words, it was impressive. Much of the proclamation I could have written myself — especially the many “whereas” justifications for why the emergency order was issued — which states many

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Maui GET increase guaranteed to hurt poorer residents

The following commentary was published originally in The Maui News on July 7, 2023. ___________ If the Maui County Council wants to increase the tax burden, risk losing nearly 300 jobs for residents and lower economic output in the county by $49 million a year, Bill 49 (2023) would be

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Kent, Hamada explore the many ways lawmakers waste money

Housing, the Honolulu rail, the Aloha Stadium, homelessness and the 64% pay raise for Honolulu City Council members.  Those were some of the topics Institute Executive Vice President Joe Kent talked about during his latest visit with radio host Rick Hamada on News Radio 830 KHVH. Regarding the rail, Kent

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Regulations make stable housing prices unsustainable

Hawaii has the highest median home prices and rents in the country, and they have been increasing substantially over the past 50 years. But prior to that, says Jensen Ahokovi, a research associate at the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, housing prices were fairly stable — not only in Hawaii but

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Kauai homeowner exemption not keeping up with assessed values

June 27, 2023 9 a.m. Kauai County Council Chambers To: Kaua‘i County Council       Councilmember Mel Rapozo, Chair       Councilmember KipuKai Kuali`i, Vice Chair From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii            Jonathan Helton, Policy Researcher  RE: County Real Property Tax Workshop  Comments Only Dear Chair and Committee Members: The

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Bill 6 (2023): Allow private review of plans to ease permit backlog

The following testimony was submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii for consideration by the Honolulu City and County Council Committee on Zoning on June 21, 2023. _____________ June 21, 2023 9 a.m. Honolulu City Council Chambers To: Honolulu City and County Council, Committee on Zoning       Councilmember Calvin Say,

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Bill 49 (2023): GET surcharge will affect Maui’s cost of living

The following testimony was submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii for consideration by the Maui County Council on June 9, 2023. _____________ June 9, 2023 9 a.m. Maui County Council Chamber  To: Maui County Council Budget, Finance and Economic Development Committee        Yuki Lei K. Sugimura, Chair

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Permit me to thank county officials again

How long should Oahu residents have to wait for a permit to repair or renovate their homes? A few days? Weeks? Months? As recently as 2017, it took about three months. That might seem short compared to the average wait now of about six months, but it’s still too long.

Read More →

Bill 6: Let private vendors review building permits

The following testimony was submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii for consideration by the Honolulu City and County Council Committee on Zoning on July 26, 2023. _____________ July 26, 2023 9 a.m. Honolulu City Council Chambers To: Honolulu City and County Council, Committee on Zoning       Councilmember Calvin Say,

Read More →

What I think about the governor’s housing proclamation

Gov. Josh Green issued an emergency proclamation this week aimed at easing Hawaii’s housing crisis, and from its very first words, it was impressive. Much of the proclamation I could have written myself — especially the many “whereas” justifications for why the emergency order was issued — which states many

Read More →

Maui GET increase guaranteed to hurt poorer residents

The following commentary was published originally in The Maui News on July 7, 2023. ___________ If the Maui County Council wants to increase the tax burden, risk losing nearly 300 jobs for residents and lower economic output in the county by $49 million a year, Bill 49 (2023) would be

Read More →

Kent, Hamada explore the many ways lawmakers waste money

Housing, the Honolulu rail, the Aloha Stadium, homelessness and the 64% pay raise for Honolulu City Council members.  Those were some of the topics Institute Executive Vice President Joe Kent talked about during his latest visit with radio host Rick Hamada on News Radio 830 KHVH. Regarding the rail, Kent

Read More →

Regulations make stable housing prices unsustainable

Hawaii has the highest median home prices and rents in the country, and they have been increasing substantially over the past 50 years. But prior to that, says Jensen Ahokovi, a research associate at the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, housing prices were fairly stable — not only in Hawaii but

Read More →

Kauai homeowner exemption not keeping up with assessed values

June 27, 2023 9 a.m. Kauai County Council Chambers To: Kaua‘i County Council       Councilmember Mel Rapozo, Chair       Councilmember KipuKai Kuali`i, Vice Chair From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii            Jonathan Helton, Policy Researcher  RE: County Real Property Tax Workshop  Comments Only Dear Chair and Committee Members: The

Read More →

Bill 6 (2023): Allow private review of plans to ease permit backlog

The following testimony was submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii for consideration by the Honolulu City and County Council Committee on Zoning on June 21, 2023. _____________ June 21, 2023 9 a.m. Honolulu City Council Chambers To: Honolulu City and County Council, Committee on Zoning       Councilmember Calvin Say,

Read More →

Bill 49 (2023): GET surcharge will affect Maui’s cost of living

The following testimony was submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii for consideration by the Maui County Council on June 9, 2023. _____________ June 9, 2023 9 a.m. Maui County Council Chamber  To: Maui County Council Budget, Finance and Economic Development Committee        Yuki Lei K. Sugimura, Chair

Read More →