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In the News

Action needed to lessen impact of Maui wildfires on economy, housing crisis

The resignation of the state’s first-ever chief housing officer shows “how difficult it is to get things done in government,” Grassroot Institute Director of Strategic Campaigns Ted Kefalas said last week during the Rick Hamada Program on NewsRadio 830 KHVH.  “It’s really sad because [Nani Medeiros] was somebody that was

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Ramifications of Lahaina tragedy only starting to be uncovered

Three weeks have elapsed since a devastating fire decimated much of the historical town of Lahaina, leaving countless lives upended. And Joe Kent, executive vice president of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, says more people are starting to understand its many ramifications.  During a conversation with radio host Rick Hamada

Read More →

Auckland, New Zealand, could be model for housing in Hawaii

The following commentary was originally published in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser on Aug. 23, 2023. __________ Gov. Josh Green recently issued an emergency proclamation that suspended numerous laws and regulations in an effort to drastically increase the state’s scarce supply of housing. But that doesn’t mean Hawaii legislators and county council

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‘There’s going to be a lot blame in the next few years’

There is still much left to learn about what caused the wildfire that destroyed Lahaina earlier this month — and about how Maui might begin to rebuild the historic town. But Joe Kent of the Grassroot Institute said it’s most important right now to observe the various stages of grief. 

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Kent shares joy of educating others on ‘Augie T’s Guest List’

The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii has rapidly amassed a substantial social media following for its easily digestible short videos. And apparently, Institute Executive Vice President Joe Kent, who frequently appears in these videos, has become somewhat of a star.  During Kent’s appearance last week on “Augie T’s Guest List,” on

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Kefalas briefs Miro about progress at City Council

Honolulu is finally making some progress in providing property tax relief and putting a dent in the city’s permitting backlog. On Sunday, Ted Kefalas of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii outlined for radio host Johnny Miro of the H. Hawaii Media network some of the things the Honolulu City Council

Read More →

Mixed feelings characterize reaction to housing proclamation

Gov. Josh Green took decisive action last month to ease the state’s housing crisis, and Malia Hill, policy director of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, told host Rick Hamada on KHVH News Radio 830 last Thursday that she “understand[s] why the governor did what he did.” Hill said the the

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Institute’s rail release becomes talk of the town

The finding that Honolulu’s rail is costing $54 per passenger creates a splash on radio, television and in the newspapers Local media and Honolulu policymakers reacted quickly last week to news from the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii that it likely will cost about $54 per passenger to operate the partially

Read More →

Kent, Kefalas recap wins, losses at Legislature on ‘Capitol Convo’

Joe Kent and Ted Kefalas of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii covered a lot of ground during a recent appearance on state Rep. Lauren Matsumoto’s thrice-weekly “Capitol Convo” radio program on AM 690 and FM 94.3 The Answer. Recorded July 19, the topics included Gov. Josh Green’s recent housing emergency

Read More →

Grassroot Institute of Hawaii wins two journalism awards

Grassroot Institute of Hawaii staffers Dave Swann and Keli‘i Akina were among winners at this year’s annual journalism awards ceremony presented by the Hawaii chapter of the national Society of Professional Journalists. The July 18 event at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii honored some of the best journalism work

Read More →

Action needed to lessen impact of Maui wildfires on economy, housing crisis

The resignation of the state’s first-ever chief housing officer shows “how difficult it is to get things done in government,” Grassroot Institute Director of Strategic Campaigns Ted Kefalas said last week during the Rick Hamada Program on NewsRadio 830 KHVH.  “It’s really sad because [Nani Medeiros] was somebody that was

Read More →

Ramifications of Lahaina tragedy only starting to be uncovered

Three weeks have elapsed since a devastating fire decimated much of the historical town of Lahaina, leaving countless lives upended. And Joe Kent, executive vice president of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, says more people are starting to understand its many ramifications.  During a conversation with radio host Rick Hamada

Read More →

Auckland, New Zealand, could be model for housing in Hawaii

The following commentary was originally published in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser on Aug. 23, 2023. __________ Gov. Josh Green recently issued an emergency proclamation that suspended numerous laws and regulations in an effort to drastically increase the state’s scarce supply of housing. But that doesn’t mean Hawaii legislators and county council

Read More →

‘There’s going to be a lot blame in the next few years’

There is still much left to learn about what caused the wildfire that destroyed Lahaina earlier this month — and about how Maui might begin to rebuild the historic town. But Joe Kent of the Grassroot Institute said it’s most important right now to observe the various stages of grief. 

Read More →

Kent shares joy of educating others on ‘Augie T’s Guest List’

The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii has rapidly amassed a substantial social media following for its easily digestible short videos. And apparently, Institute Executive Vice President Joe Kent, who frequently appears in these videos, has become somewhat of a star.  During Kent’s appearance last week on “Augie T’s Guest List,” on

Read More →

Kefalas briefs Miro about progress at City Council

Honolulu is finally making some progress in providing property tax relief and putting a dent in the city’s permitting backlog. On Sunday, Ted Kefalas of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii outlined for radio host Johnny Miro of the H. Hawaii Media network some of the things the Honolulu City Council

Read More →

Mixed feelings characterize reaction to housing proclamation

Gov. Josh Green took decisive action last month to ease the state’s housing crisis, and Malia Hill, policy director of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, told host Rick Hamada on KHVH News Radio 830 last Thursday that she “understand[s] why the governor did what he did.” Hill said the the

Read More →

Institute’s rail release becomes talk of the town

The finding that Honolulu’s rail is costing $54 per passenger creates a splash on radio, television and in the newspapers Local media and Honolulu policymakers reacted quickly last week to news from the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii that it likely will cost about $54 per passenger to operate the partially

Read More →

Kent, Kefalas recap wins, losses at Legislature on ‘Capitol Convo’

Joe Kent and Ted Kefalas of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii covered a lot of ground during a recent appearance on state Rep. Lauren Matsumoto’s thrice-weekly “Capitol Convo” radio program on AM 690 and FM 94.3 The Answer. Recorded July 19, the topics included Gov. Josh Green’s recent housing emergency

Read More →

Grassroot Institute of Hawaii wins two journalism awards

Grassroot Institute of Hawaii staffers Dave Swann and Keli‘i Akina were among winners at this year’s annual journalism awards ceremony presented by the Hawaii chapter of the national Society of Professional Journalists. The July 18 event at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii honored some of the best journalism work

Read More →