Socioeconomics

Pooley’s new book ‘Superabundance’ earns well-deserved attention

Grassroot Institute of Hawaii September 20, 2022

“Superabundance” is an optimistic story of “population growth, innovation and human flourishing on an infinitely bountiful planet” Public reaction to Grassroot Scholar Gale Pooley’s new book, “Superabundance,” co-authored by Marian Tupy and released officially on Aug. 31, so far has been abundantly positive. >> On July 12, Pooley — an economist and associate professor of business management at Brigham Young University-Hawaii

Akina on the question: Was Confucius a libertarian?

Keli'i Akina, Ph.D. August 10, 2022

The great philosopher’s ideas are “authentically Chinese,” which makes it more likely they can make headway in China Was Confucius a libertarian? That was the question Keli‘i Akina, president and CEO of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, addressed during a July 16 presentation at the latest annual FreedomFest, held this

It’s too late now for Hawaii, but evidence against minimum-wage hikes keeps piling up

Grassroot Institute of Hawaii August 8, 2022

The issue will inevitably come around again, and next time let’s hope our legislators do what is empirically, not politically, correct Hawaii lawmakers approved a bill earlier this year that will nearly double the state’s legal minimum wage over the next six years, from $10.10 to $18 an hour —

Oahu’s problematic short-term rental ban

Grassroot Institute of Hawaii May 25, 2022

Will Oahu’s new ban on short-term rentals affect you? It will if you have been renting out a room to help pay your mortgage, or you are a contractor or retailer whose livelihood has relied on servicing such rentals or the people who rent them. That’s the view of Dawn

Three important questions about the minimum wage

Keli'i Akina, Ph.D. April 2, 2022

Before our legislators vote on whether to increase Hawaii’s minimum wage, I encourage them to ask three very important questions: >> Who are we trying to help? >> Who would actually be affected? >> Is the minimum wage the best way to help low-income families? Clearly, many people believe that increasing

After the last 2 years, ‘We need to laugh a little bit’

Grassroot Institute of Hawaii March 22, 2022

The coronavirus lockdowns of the last two years pretty much lived up to the low expectations of the featured speaker at the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii’s 20th Anniversary Gala Matt Kibbe — economist, author, podcaster and self-described “crazy libertarian who expects the very worst from government” — said even he

Can we please try some housing policies that work, like the ‘Tokyo model’?

Keli'i Akina, Ph.D. March 13, 2022

If we want housing for our children and grandchildren, we need to liberalize our state and local land-use and zoning regulations. When you’re a hammer, the saying goes, everything looks like a nail. And when you’re a fan of big government, regulation is the go-to solution to every problem. That

Testimony: Revised wage bill takes legislators off the hot seat

Grassroot Institute of Hawaii February 28, 2022

The testimony below was submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii for consideration March 1, 2022, by the House Committee on Finance. Ted Kefalas oral testimony follows. _______________ To: House Committee on Finance Rep. Sylvia Luke, Chair Rep. Kyle Yamashita, Vice Chair From: Grassroot Institute

SB3182 SD1 ‘wealth asset tax’ not needed and potentially dangerous

Grassroot Institute of Hawaii February 17, 2022

The following testimony was submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii for consideration Feb. 17, 2022, by the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. _______________ To: Senate Committee on Ways and Means Sen. Donovan M. Dela Cruz, Chair Sen. Gilbert S.C. Keith-Agaran, Vice Chair

SB3250 SD1, ‘wealth tax’ great way to encourage capital flight

Grassroot Institute of Hawaii February 17, 2022

The following testimony was submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii for consideration Feb. 18, 2022, by the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. _______________ To: Senate Committee on Ways and Means Sen. Donovan M. Dela Cruz, Chair Sen. Gilbert S.C. Keith-Agaran, Vice Chair