News Releases

NEWS RELEASE: Gov. Ige praised for restoring government transparency

Grassroot Institute of Hawaii August 8, 2021

Keli’i Akina, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii president, says terminating the suspension of the state’s open-records law was “long overdue” HONOLULU, August 8, 2021 >> The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii commended Gov. David Ige today for reinstating Hawaii’s Uniform Information Practices Act, after suspending the transparency law, in whole or in part, for more than a

New policy report slices through common defenses of the Jones Act

Grassroot Institute of Hawaii July 28, 2021

The following news release was issued by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii on July 28, 2021. ____________ DOWNLOAD THE PDF The Grassroot Institute has produced a handy guide addressing five key arguments that Jones Act defenders just won’t let die HONOLULU, July 28, 2021 >> The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii has

NEWS RELEASE: Ige’s ‘intent to veto’ list praised

Grassroot Institute of Hawaii June 23, 2021

The following news release was issued by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii on June 23, 2021. _____________ Grassroot Institute of Hawaii CEO Keli’i Akina says the list reflects a commendable effort to avoid increasing Hawaii’s taxpayer burden HONOLULU, June 23, 2021 >> The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii today commended Gov. David Ige for declaring his intent

PVSA-reform bills in Congress could provide boost to Hawaii

Grassroot Institute of Hawaii June 12, 2021

The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii issued the following as a news release on June 12, 2021. ________________ The federal Passenger Vessel Services Act has long been recognized as an impediment to Hawaii’s tourism potential and port-related jobs HONOLULU, June 12, 2021 >> In another blow to the U.S. Passenger Vessel Services

NEWS RELEASE: President Biden signs bill exempting Alaska from PVSA

Grassroot Institute of Hawaii May 25, 2021

The following was issued as a news release by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii on May 25, 2021. ________________ The Passenger Vessel Services Act cut off Alaska’s tourism industry from large foreign-flagged cruise ships departing from Washington HONOLULU, May 25, 2021 >> In a huge victory for Alaska’s tourism industry — with

New article warns of vacuum after MS Pride of America leaves Hawaii

Grassroot Institute of Hawaii May 13, 2021

Photo by Charley Myers The following is a news release that was issued by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii on May 11, 2021. ____________ If the 2,186-passenger cruise liner were redeployed or retired today, there would be no comparable ship to take its place under federal law HONOLULU, May 11, 2021

HART officials looking at 27 possible rail changes

Grassroot Institute of Hawaii May 1, 2021

Photo courtesy of HART The following is a news release issued by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii on April 30, 2021. ____________ Funding worries have forced the Honolulu transit agency to consider alternatives to its original plan, newly released documents show HONOLULU, April 30, 2021 >> The Honolulu Authority

Hawaii per-capita state tax revenues highest in nation, research shows

Grassroot Institute of Hawaii March 25, 2021

The following is the revised version of a news release issued by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii on March 25, 2021. It includes an expanded footnote and some language not found in the earlier verison. _____________ Hawaii state tax revenues per capita exceed the national average by more than 100%, according to

Grassroot Institute CEO denounces House budget plan as ‘irresponsible’

Grassroot Institute of Hawaii March 24, 2021

The following is a news release issued by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii on March 24, 2021, regarding the state House voting unanimously to approve HB200, HD1. _____________ Institute President Keli’i Akina says House members should have aimed to pay off more debt instead of go on a record-breaking spending spree HONOLULU, March 24, 2021 >>

News release: Grassroot Institute supports Alaska bid seeking exemption from cruising ban

Grassroot Institute of Hawaii March 7, 2021

The following is a news release issued by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii on March 6, 2021, regarding testimony it submitted to the Alaska Senate Labor and Commerce Committee about Senate Joint Resolution 9. _____________ Alaska’s tourism industry is in deep trouble because foreign cruise ships may not carry passengers between U.S. ports without a foreign