Testimony & Letters

Testimony: Hawaii County could use ‘Konno’ exceptions to address permit backlog

Grassroot Institute of Hawaii November 3, 2022

The following oral testimony was presented Oct. 27, 2022, by Joe Kent, executive vice president of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, for consideration by the Hawaii County Cost of Government Commission. The testimony concerned the commission’s October 2022 report, which made recommendations on how to improve county government operations. To see Kent’s the

Testimony: Bill 56 would help clear permit backlogs, get people back to work

Grassroot Institute of Hawaii November 2, 2022

To: Honolulu City Council Tommy Waters, Chair Esther Kia‘aina, Vice Chair From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii Ted Kefalas, Director of Strategic Campaigns RE: BILL 56 (2022), CD1 — RELATING TO PERMITS REQUIRED. Comments Only Dear Chair and Council

Testimony: By-right approvals could lower the cost of housing

Grassroot Institute of Hawaii November 2, 2022

To: Maui County Council Affordable Housing Committee Gabe Johnson, Chair Michael Molina, Vice Chair From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii Joe Kent, Executive Vice President RE: ESTABLISHING DESIGN STANDARDS FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS LESS THAN 150 UNITS SO PROJECTS

Testimony: ‘Konno’ exceptions could help Hawaii County better deliver public services

Grassroot Institute of Hawaii October 28, 2022

The written testimony below was presented Oct. 27, 2022, by Jonathan Helton, policy researcher for the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, for consideration by the Hawaii County Cost of Government Commission. The testimony concerned the commission’s October 2022 report, which made recommendations on how to improve county government operations. Also during the commission’s

Hill adds oral comments about potential loophole to state open-records law

Grassroot Institute of Hawaii October 5, 2022

The following are comments presented Oct. 4, 2022, by Malia Hill, policy director of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, to the SR192 Working Group, which is considering a proposal that would incorporate a “deliberative process privilege” into Hawaii’s open-records law. A transcript is included. To see the complete written testimony,

Comments on SCR192: Exemptions to open-records law should favor disclosure, not secrecy

Grassroot Institute of Hawaii October 4, 2022

The following comments were submitted by Malia Hill of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii on Oct. 4, 2022, to the SCR192 Working Group, the mission of which is to consider draft legislation that would incorporate a “deliberative process privilege” into the state Uniform Information Practices Act. To see Hill’s oral presentation,

Letter to President Biden: Grant Jones Act waiver to Puerto Rico

Grassroot Institute of Hawaii September 27, 2022

Sept. 27, 2022 The Honorable Joseph R. Biden President of the United States The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20500 Dear Mr. President: In the wake of Hurricane Fiona’s destruction, and on behalf of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, I ask that you grant Puerto Rico a

Testimony: Bill 10 could help add Oahu housing

Grassroot Institute of Hawaii September 22, 2022

Photo by Charley Myers The following testimony was submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii for consideration Sept 26, 2022, by the Honolulu City Council. ______________ To: Honolulu City Council Tommy Waters, Chair Esther Kia‘aina, Vice Chair From: Ted Kefalas

Testimony: Don’t limit new multi-unit housing to just TOD areas

Grassroot Institute of Hawaii September 8, 2022

The following written testimony was submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii for consideration Sept. 7, 2022, by the Honolulu City Council. _____________ To: Honolulu City Council Tommy Waters, Chair Esther Kia‘aina, Vice Chair From: Ted Kefalas Director

Maui housing bill recommitted after institute gives testimony

Grassroot Institute of Hawaii July 23, 2022

Testimony from the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii helped convince members of the Maui County Council this week that a bill to impose a form of price fixing on new affordable housing projects should be reconsidered. Joe Kent, institute executive vice president, submitted written testimony regarding Bill 107 last Friday, then delivered oral testimony via

Testimony & Letters

Testimony: Hawaii County could use ‘Konno’ exceptions to address permit backlog

Testimony: Bill 56 would help clear permit backlogs, get people back to work

Testimony: By-right approvals could lower the cost of housing

Testimony: ‘Konno’ exceptions could help Hawaii County better deliver public services

Hill adds oral comments about potential loophole to state open-records law

Comments on SCR192: Exemptions to open-records law should favor disclosure, not secrecy

Letter to President Biden: Grant Jones Act waiver to Puerto Rico

Testimony: Bill 10 could help add Oahu housing

Testimony: Don’t limit new multi-unit housing to just TOD areas

Maui housing bill recommitted after institute gives testimony

Testimony: Hawaii County could use ‘Konno’ exceptions to address permit backlog

Testimony: Bill 56 would help clear permit backlogs, get people back to work

Testimony: By-right approvals could lower the cost of housing

Testimony: ‘Konno’ exceptions could help Hawaii County better deliver public services

Hill adds oral comments about potential loophole to state open-records law

Comments on SCR192: Exemptions to open-records law should favor disclosure, not secrecy

Letter to President Biden: Grant Jones Act waiver to Puerto Rico

Testimony: Bill 10 could help add Oahu housing

Testimony: Don’t limit new multi-unit housing to just TOD areas

Maui housing bill recommitted after institute gives testimony

PETITION: Exempt medical services from Hawaii's excise tax!

Add your name by signing below!