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Hawaii counties squander opportunity to lower taxes

Editor’s note: Some of the figures cited in the transcript for the proposed Maui budget were underestimated. The correct figures appear in brackets. ___________ It’s the perfect time to lower taxes. That’s what Joe Kent, executive vice president of Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, said Sunday morning, June 5, 2022, when

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2022 Legislature still addicted to spending but deserves some praise

Photo by Sean Mitsui Especially praiseworthy was the passage of a bill that will limit the state’s emergency powers, if the governor lets it become law The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii presented its views on the 2022 Legislature this week to audiences on Oahu, Maui and Hawaii island, and the message was simple: The Legislature

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Short-term rental ban will disrupt Honolulu economy

Well, Joe Kent tried his best during a Monday morning interview with KHON2 reporter Dallis Ontiveros to explain the negative ramifications of Bill 41. But Honolulu’s mayor went ahead and signed the bill the next day anyway Approved 8-1 by the Honolulu City Council, Bill 41 essentially bans short-term rentals

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How the Jones Act transfers critical industry and jobs overseas

A Washington Times article claims the 1920 law is “pro-American,” but with friends like the Jones Act, who needs enemies? It is a popular misconception that the federal maritime law known as the Jones Act supports American industry and jobs. A recent commentary in the Washington Times, for example, was

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Akina updates Perry & The Posse on Jones Act waiver request

The Russia-Ukraine crisis and the suspension of Russian oil imports to Hawaii are spelling bad news for Hawaii’s energy consumers — which is basically almost everyone in the islands. Keli’i Akina, president of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, rode with radio host Michael W. Perry  and his posse on Friday,

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Ahokovi highlights on HPR why minimum-wage increases backfire

Is increasing the state’s minimum wage the best way to solve the challenges faced by low-income workers in Hawaii? The Feb. 3, 2022, episode of “The Conversation” on Hawaii Public Radio considered the question, with Jensen Ahokovi of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii contending such an increase would likely cause

Read More →

County TAT surcharges a threat to Hawaii recovery

The founder of ThinkTech Hawaii hosts the institute’s executive vice president to talk about the new county taxes on tourism, and much more besides The rush by Hawaii’s counties to add 3% surcharges to the state’s 10.25% transient accommodations tax has raised red flags about the future of Hawaii’s tourism industry,

Read More →

Hawaii counties squander opportunity to lower taxes

Editor’s note: Some of the figures cited in the transcript for the proposed Maui budget were underestimated. The correct figures appear in brackets. ___________ It’s the perfect time to lower taxes. That’s what Joe Kent, executive vice president of Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, said Sunday morning, June 5, 2022, when

Read More →

2022 Legislature still addicted to spending but deserves some praise

Photo by Sean Mitsui Especially praiseworthy was the passage of a bill that will limit the state’s emergency powers, if the governor lets it become law The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii presented its views on the 2022 Legislature this week to audiences on Oahu, Maui and Hawaii island, and the message was simple: The Legislature

Read More →

Short-term rental ban will disrupt Honolulu economy

Well, Joe Kent tried his best during a Monday morning interview with KHON2 reporter Dallis Ontiveros to explain the negative ramifications of Bill 41. But Honolulu’s mayor went ahead and signed the bill the next day anyway Approved 8-1 by the Honolulu City Council, Bill 41 essentially bans short-term rentals

Read More →

How the Jones Act transfers critical industry and jobs overseas

A Washington Times article claims the 1920 law is “pro-American,” but with friends like the Jones Act, who needs enemies? It is a popular misconception that the federal maritime law known as the Jones Act supports American industry and jobs. A recent commentary in the Washington Times, for example, was

Read More →

Akina updates Perry & The Posse on Jones Act waiver request

The Russia-Ukraine crisis and the suspension of Russian oil imports to Hawaii are spelling bad news for Hawaii’s energy consumers — which is basically almost everyone in the islands. Keli’i Akina, president of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, rode with radio host Michael W. Perry  and his posse on Friday,

Read More →

Ahokovi highlights on HPR why minimum-wage increases backfire

Is increasing the state’s minimum wage the best way to solve the challenges faced by low-income workers in Hawaii? The Feb. 3, 2022, episode of “The Conversation” on Hawaii Public Radio considered the question, with Jensen Ahokovi of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii contending such an increase would likely cause

Read More →

County TAT surcharges a threat to Hawaii recovery

The founder of ThinkTech Hawaii hosts the institute’s executive vice president to talk about the new county taxes on tourism, and much more besides The rush by Hawaii’s counties to add 3% surcharges to the state’s 10.25% transient accommodations tax has raised red flags about the future of Hawaii’s tourism industry,

Read More →