Regulation
How Hawaii can usher in a new era of prosperity
Hawaii is finally starting to open again. Now what? That was the question posed to me yesterday morning by Michael W. Perry, host of the hugely popular “Perry & The Posse” radio show on KSSK AM and FM. Fortunately, I had exactly the right prescription. Or, more...
Akina goes riding with Perry & The Posse
Hawaii radio star Michael W. Perry hosted Keli'i Akina on his hugely popular "Perry & The Posse" radio show on Thursday, May 28, 2020, to talk about the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii's new “Road map to prosperity: How Hawaii can recover and even excel after the...
Grassroot Institute details how to rescue Hawaii’s economy
This is a news release that was issued by the Grassroot Institute of Hawai on May 22, 2020. _____________ The institute urges best practices for a successful recovery HONOLULU, May 22, 2020 >> The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii today published a new policy brief,...
We can’t turn back the clock, and for some policies we don’t want to
It was just over a year ago that the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii produced a report stating: “Hawaii’s state budget does not have the extra cushion to deal with a large recession, if one should hit, so lawmakers should rein in spending and build up a financial...
Balancing public health and ‘Let Hawaii Work’
Hawaii News Now reporter Steve Uyehara spent a few minutes on Monday, May 11, 2020, with Keli’i Akina, president of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, to talk about the institute’s “Let Hawaii Work” petition. Akina talked about the need for balance between Hawaii's...
Testimony on HB2200, HD1, relating to the state budget
This is the testimony submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii regarding HB2200, HD1, aka the Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2020, for consideration by the Hawaii Senate Committee on Ways and Means at its meeting on Monday, May 11, 2020. _______________ May...
‘Multiplier effect’ is poor justification for increased government spending
Hawaii lawmakers must not be afraid to cut the state budget __________ By Joe Kent, Ken Schoolland, Per Bylund and Victor V. Claar In the rush to mitigate the economically devastating impact of Hawaii’s state-mandated shutdown, many lawmakers and policy wonks have...
KITV4 interviews Akina about ‘Let Hawaii Work’
Keli'i Akina, president of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, was interviewed Friday, May 2, 2020, by KITV4 news reporter Annalisa Burgos about the institute's call for Gov. David Ige to "Let Hawaii Work." The interview is just shy of seven minutes. A transcript of...
How to rescue Maui from the coronavirus recession
This commentary was published originally in The Maui News on April 24, 2020. ___________ Maui County’s economy is in trouble because of the coronavirus recession, but there are ways to turn that around, if only our state and county lawmakers would get out of the way....
18 ways to get Hawaii back on its feet
This commentary was originally published in Honolulu Civil Beat, April 18, 2020. ____________ Hawaii is leading the nation in per-capita unemployment right now because of government actions intended to stop the coronavirus. According to the state Department of Labor,...
Airports Corporation takes on new sense of urgency
Photo by Charley Myers The Hawaii Legislature suspended its 2020 session in early March because of the coronavirus situation, but eventually it will get back to business, and when it does, consideration of the long-proposed Hawaii Airports Corporation should be one of...
Diverse groups with common cause urge policymakers to let sun shine in
Signers call for restoration of open government in Hawaii NEWS RELEASE from the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii HONOLULU, March 31, 2020 >> Common Cause Hawaii sent a letter today to Gov. David Ige and the state's four county mayors, signed by more than 40 groups...
‘Healing our World’ author dissects COVID-19 blunders and opportunities
The coronavirus pandemic has exposed many government regulations that have hindered our ability to respond effectively to it, but it also has led to some positive policy changes that will serve us well in the future. That was the thrust of the discussion on Monday...
How to navigate the ‘coronavirus recession’
This commentary was originally published March 15 in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. ___________ With the coronavirus causing havoc for both the U.S. stock market and Hawaii’s tourism industry, now is not the time for state lawmakers to be increasing spending, taxes or...
Event alert: Should Hawaii increase its minimum wage?
An expert on Seattle's experience will address 2 Hawaii events HONOLULU, Feb. 23, 2020 >> Proposals to increase Hawaii’s minimum wage are back on the docket at the state Legislature, in an effort to make our state more affordable. And who doesn’t want that? It’s...
Sick economy is a medical threat, too
Gov. David Ige is worried about Hawaii’s ability to respond to a crisis like the coronavirus threat. He’s not the only one. Our governor spoke earlier this week about his discussions with the Centers for Disease Control and other federal agencies regarding his...
Five little words could solve Hawaii housing crisis
The lack of affordable housing in Hawaii is on everyone’s mind. State legislators have responded with a wide variety of proposals that include everything from government building projects to incentives for developers. Then there’s the constitutional amendment. Three...
Now is when our legislators reveal themselves
The 2020 legislative session is only a few weeks old, and that puts us at a strange place in the life cycle of the Legislature. As the session goes on and deadlines for hearings and votes come closer, the Legislature tends to focus on the big issues for the year....