Regulation
‘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...
Despite the stress, we haven’t lost step
This is a challenging time for all residents of Hawaii. The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii has been discussing the possible impact of the coronavirus for weeks. But even while advising caution in the face of a possible recession, we weren’t contemplating a situation...
The Grassroot Top 5 articles of 2019
The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii covered a lot of policy ground during the past year. Our writers and researchers produced reports and commentaries on the negative effects of the federal Jones Act, what can be done to help resolve Hawaii's public pension crisis, how...
Council should be more cautious when considering bills
The Honolulu City Council may be on the verge of learning a difficult lesson about the consequences of hasty legislation. In just a few short months, the Council has considered three bills that could have a significant impact on the local economy. Two of those bills...
Radio host inspired by ‘simplicity and efficiency’
Its ability to explain public policy issues with “simplicity and efficiency” is what first impressed Matt Gilbertson about the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii. Gilbertson, founder of MGA Architecture in Honolulu, discussed his interest in the communication style of...
Looking back: A housing boom, then a volcanic eruption
One year ago today, on May 3, 2018, Kilauea volcano on Hawaii Island began spewing lava that destroyed hundreds of homes and disrupted thousands of lives in areas that had been designated high-risk lava zones. On May 20, 2018, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii...
Our Santa wish list for Hawaii
Well, it’s Christmas season again, so here is what I drafted recently for Santa to consider: Dear Santa, We at the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii were very good this past year about defending the free market. We helped educate policymakers, stood for transparency and...
State encouraged building in risky lava zone
MEDIA RELEASE from GRASSROOT INSTITUTE OF HAWAII CONTACT: Joe Kent, jkent@grassrootinstitute.org (808) 987-7322 State encouraged building in risky lava zone Grassroot Institute of Hawaii president says ongoing disaster could have been avoided HAWAII ISLAND (May 17,...
Government fanned flames of volcano disaster
As lava engulfs the homes of many unfortunate Hawaii Island residents, it’s important to remember that the state originally encouraged the building of homes in this dangerous area by offering lava insurance where no private company would. In the 1990s, the town of...
Hawaii’s business climate
Hawaii Legislature looks to regulate video games
In Hawaii, there are currently three bills in consideration that seek to limit video game sales or regulate the gaming industry. One, SB3024, seeks to prohibit anyone under age 21 from buying a game that lets you buy loot boxes or purchase something that could be...
Stuck in the slow lane
‘Net neutrality’ could keep Hawaii in slow lane
Hawaii Gov. David Ige this week signed an executive order that most likely will discourage competition and innovation among internet service providers in the islands — thus harming local consumers and businesses trying to keep up with the ever-continuing advances in the broader telecommunications world.
State government at work: This is not a drill
Like so many of you, I was awakened last Saturday morning by a text message with a heart-stopping warning: “Ballistic missile threat inbound to Hawaii. Seek immediate shelter. This is not a drill.” Despite the unequivocal wording of the message, my first instinct was...
Red tape tally long overdue
It is commonly said that Hawaii has too many government regulations, but how many regulations are there exactly? The answer: Nobody knows. However, researchers from the Mercatus Center have embarked on a project to count by the end of this year the number of...
‘He’s making a list’
You better watch out You better not cry Better not pout I'm telling you why Santa Claus is coming to town Who doesn't love Santa Claus? He's the enduring symbol of Christmas and, at his best, the embodiment of generosity and holiday spirit. At his worst, however, he...
Hawaii misses the bitcoin boom
This past February, Hawaii bitcoin customers learned that they would no longer be able to buy the digital currency from Hawaii banks. Since then, the price of bitcoin has catapulted to over $4,000 per bitcoin, up from $1,000 in February, which may have cost many...
Maui Event: Peggy Grande, confidant to President Ronald Reagan
Peggy Grande will speak on Maui on Saturday, August 5, 2017.