The following commentary was originally published Oct. 5, 2026, in The Hill under the headline “Jones Act waiver period disproves China fearmongering, shows benefits of reform.”____________ Defenders of the federal maritime law known as the Jones Act contend that the threat of Chinese expansion is a reason to keep its protectionist
The following commentary was originally published Sept. 21, 2026, in Maui Now under the headline “New rules for awarding county grants could boost transparency, but more action needed.”____________ Maui County appropriates tens of millions of dollars in grants to businesses and nonprofits every year, but the protocols for awarding and monitoring
Owen Yeates, left, senior attorney for the Institute for Free Speech, is representing the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, led by Keli’i Akina, right, in a constitutional challenge to the state’s new Act 11. The following commentary was first published Sept. 2, 2026, in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser under the headline “Law infringes on
Grassroot Executive Vice President Joe Kent appeared on “Covering the Cost” with Hawaii New Now’s Annalisa Burgos on Aug. 19 to talk about recent initiatives to reduce permitting wait times in Honolulu and streamline recovery after Hurricane Lala. The issue lies in the maze of approvals needed for simple permits.
The following commentary was originally published July 16, 2026, in The Garden Island under the headline “New rainwater catchment law could boost housing stock.”_____________ The Hawaiʻi Legislature passed a bill this year that now allows folks across the state to install rainwater catchment systems. HB1728, which took effect July 1, is a victory for
The following commentary was first published July 15, 2026, in The Washington Post under the headline “Maui went from wildfires to purgatory. Here’s why it struggles to rebuild.”_____________ Nearly three years after wildfires engulfed Lahaina, Hawaii, rebuilding continues to move at a glacial pace. The blazes claimed more than 100 lives and
The need for less costly housing is a hot topic in Hawaii, and Grassroot Institute of Hawaii Executive Vice President Joe Kent reminded local radio listeners recently that lifting burdensome regulations is an important piece of that conversation. Speaking with KHVH radio host Rick Hamada on July 13, Kent said
The following “Island Voices” commentary was first published on July 8, 2026, in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser under the headline “State ‘millionaire tax’ might backfire.”_____________ Lawmakers sometimes forget that tax policy does not play out in a vacuum. Tax hikes, for example, can nudge people to reduce discretionary spending, cut back on charitable
A new state law that has been framed as a campaign finance reform measure is actually a sweeping threat to the free speech rights of ordinary Hawaii residents, Grassroot Institute President and CEO Keliʻi Akina explained in a recent radio interview. The Grassroot Institute has filed a lawsuit challenging the
The following commentary was first published May 30, 2026, in West Hawaii Today and May 31, 2026, in the Hawaii Tribune-Herald under the headline “Local food bills on the table after legislative session.”_____________ The Hawaiʻi Legislature this year approved at least three bills that could help the state achieve its goal of increasing the
The following commentary was originally published Oct. 5, 2026, in The Hill under the headline “Jones Act waiver period disproves China fearmongering, shows benefits of reform.”____________ Defenders of the federal maritime law known as the Jones Act contend that the threat of Chinese expansion is a reason to keep its protectionist
The following commentary was originally published Sept. 21, 2026, in Maui Now under the headline “New rules for awarding county grants could boost transparency, but more action needed.”____________ Maui County appropriates tens of millions of dollars in grants to businesses and nonprofits every year, but the protocols for awarding and monitoring
Owen Yeates, left, senior attorney for the Institute for Free Speech, is representing the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, led by Keli’i Akina, right, in a constitutional challenge to the state’s new Act 11. The following commentary was first published Sept. 2, 2026, in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser under the headline “Law infringes on
Grassroot Executive Vice President Joe Kent appeared on “Covering the Cost” with Hawaii New Now’s Annalisa Burgos on Aug. 19 to talk about recent initiatives to reduce permitting wait times in Honolulu and streamline recovery after Hurricane Lala. The issue lies in the maze of approvals needed for simple permits.
The following commentary was originally published July 16, 2026, in The Garden Island under the headline “New rainwater catchment law could boost housing stock.”_____________ The Hawaiʻi Legislature passed a bill this year that now allows folks across the state to install rainwater catchment systems. HB1728, which took effect July 1, is a victory for
The following commentary was first published July 15, 2026, in The Washington Post under the headline “Maui went from wildfires to purgatory. Here’s why it struggles to rebuild.”_____________ Nearly three years after wildfires engulfed Lahaina, Hawaii, rebuilding continues to move at a glacial pace. The blazes claimed more than 100 lives and
The need for less costly housing is a hot topic in Hawaii, and Grassroot Institute of Hawaii Executive Vice President Joe Kent reminded local radio listeners recently that lifting burdensome regulations is an important piece of that conversation. Speaking with KHVH radio host Rick Hamada on July 13, Kent said
The following “Island Voices” commentary was first published on July 8, 2026, in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser under the headline “State ‘millionaire tax’ might backfire.”_____________ Lawmakers sometimes forget that tax policy does not play out in a vacuum. Tax hikes, for example, can nudge people to reduce discretionary spending, cut back on charitable
A new state law that has been framed as a campaign finance reform measure is actually a sweeping threat to the free speech rights of ordinary Hawaii residents, Grassroot Institute President and CEO Keliʻi Akina explained in a recent radio interview. The Grassroot Institute has filed a lawsuit challenging the
The following commentary was first published May 30, 2026, in West Hawaii Today and May 31, 2026, in the Hawaii Tribune-Herald under the headline “Local food bills on the table after legislative session.”_____________ The Hawaiʻi Legislature this year approved at least three bills that could help the state achieve its goal of increasing the
