Issues

Department of Interior Secretly Planning Native Hawaiian Recognition Since 2012

Malia Hill May 27, 2014

Grassroot Institute investigation raises questions about DOI timing and OHA’s strategy HONOLULU, Hawaii—May 27, 2014—Further investigation of the Department of the Interior’s plan to recognize a Native Hawaiian governing entity via administrative rule has revealed that the agency has been secretly working toward such an action since at least 2012. The Grassroot

Voting Problems in the Pacific – On PJ Media

Malia Hill May 24, 2014

Today, in a colorful and highly detailed article, PJ Media columnist J. Christian Adams highlights the voting irregularities of Pacific–and unsurprisingly, Hawaii makes the cut. As we have discussed elsewhere, there have been challenges made to voting registration laws in Guam and in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI),

Decision on CNMI Vote Demonstrates the Illegality of OHA’s Nation-Building Process

Malia Hill May 24, 2014

HONOLULU, Hawaii—May 23, 2014—A federal court has struck down a race-based voting scheme in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), thereby highlighting the Constitutional problems inherent in elections based on race or ancestry–including the upcoming election planned by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.At issue was a CNMI law

Department of the Interior Considers Creation of a Native Hawaiian Government by Administrative Rule

Malia Hill May 23, 2014

HONOLULU, Hawaii—May 23, 2014—The Obama Administration is considering an end-run around Congress and the voters by creating a Native Hawaiian governing entity via executive action. The Department of the Interior (DOI) has issued an advance notice of proposed rule-making (ANPR) in order to, “solicit public comments on whether and how

The Problem With Government Solutions

Lloyd Lim May 23, 2014

Government solutions aren’t always appropriate. Nothing can happen in government unless it is authorized by law. That means that government always uses a one-sized fits all solution. That is not good if the situation is likely to be diverse. The emphasis on rules also tends to mean greater complexity and

Video: Akaka Bill to Native Hawaiian Roll

Grassroot Institute of Hawaii May 22, 2014

In this ThinkTech video, Grassroot President Keli’i Akina speaks with Professor Gail Heriot, a legal scholar at San Diego University and a Commissioner of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. Joined by Grassoot Policy Director Malia Hill, they explore the ever-evolving effort to create a Native Hawaiian governing entity, with

The Jones Act and Crude Oil

Malia Hill May 21, 2014

With the recommendation from the Hawaii Refinery Task Force and the push to persuade Gov. Abercrombie to work towards a Jones Act exemption, we might have finally found the Act’s Achilles heel …oil. It may be frustrating that the other economic woes the Act causes Hawaii’s citizens don’t have quite the

Will Congress Allow Hawaii to Expand Racial Discrimination?

Ilya Shapiro May 16, 2014

Note from Grassroot Institute: As the debate continues over the issues behind the Native Hawaiian Roll and the nation-building process, think tanks and scholars around the country are beginning to take notice and join the discussion as to the law and issues involved. The article below, by Ilya Shapiro of

Goliath

Miscellaneous May 15, 2014

Grassroot Note: The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii is fortunate to have many thoughtful and experienced members who we invite to contribute their own insights into the issues that affect our islands. As part of a series of articles meant to highlight those unique voices, we are happy to bring you

Grassroot Institute Calls on OHA Trustees to Own Up for CEO Comments

Malia Hill May 11, 2014

HONOLULU, Hawaii—May 10, 2014—The trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs have embarrassed the State of Hawaii and must be held accountable for recent statements in a letter by its CEO to the U.S. Department of State questioning the legitimacy of American and Hawaii State sovereignty in the Hawaiian islands.