Testimony & Letters

Emergency management reform needed to balance powers

April 8, 2026, 2 p.m. Hawaii State Capitol Conference Room 325 and Videoconference To: House Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs        Rep. David A. Tarnas, Chair        Rep. Mahina Poepoe, Vice-Chair From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii             Ted Kefalas, Director

Read More →

State should abolish vacant positions after two years, not five

April 8, 2026, 2 p.m. Hawaii State Capitol Conference Room 308 and Videoconference To: House Committee on Finance       Rep. Chris Todd, Chair       Rep. Jenna Takenouchi, Vice Chair From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii Ted Kefalas, Director of Strategic Campaigns RE: TESTIMONY IN SUPPORT OF SB2014 SD1

Read More →

Government notice posting needs centralized website

April 7, 2026, 2 p.m. Hawaii State Capitol Conference Room 325 and Videoconference To: House Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs       Rep. David A. Tarnas, Chair       Rep. Mahina Poepoe, Vice Chair From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii Ted Kefalas, Director of Strategic Campaigns RE: COMMENTS ON

Read More →

Transfer idle special fund balances to help shore up general fund

April 7, 2026, 2 p.m. Hawaii State Capitol Conference Room 308 and Videoconference To: House Committee on Finance        Rep. Chris Todd, Chair        Rep. Jenna Takenouchi, Vice Chair From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii Ted Kefalas, Director of Strategic Campaigns RE: TESTIMONY IN SUPPORT OF SB2921 SD1 —

Read More →

Income tax cut repeal could stunt business growth and harm families

April 7, 2026, 2 p.m. Hawaii State Capitol Conference Room 308 and Videoconference To: House Committee on Finance        Rep. Chris Todd, Chair        Rep. Jenna Takenouchi, Vice Chair       From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii Ted Kefalas, Director of Strategic Campaigns RE: TESTIMONY WITH

Read More →

Preapproved housing plans could reduce permitting delays

April 7, 2026, 10 a.m. Hawaii State Capitol Conference Room 411 and Videoconference To: House Committee on Water & Land       Rep. Mark J. Hashem, Chair       Rep. Dee Morikawa, Vice Chair From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii Ted Kefalas, Director of Strategic Campaigns RE: TESTIMONY IN

Read More →

Self-certification program could streamline permitting process

April 7, 2026, 9:25 a.m.  Hawaii State Capitol Conference Room 229 and Videoconference To: Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection       Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole, Chair       Sen. Carol Fukunaga, Vice Chair From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii            Ted Kefalas, Director of Strategic

Read More →

Rainwater catchment systems should be allowed statewide

April 7, 2026, 10:15 a.m. Hawaii State Capitol Conference Room 016 and Videoconference To: Senate Committee on Judiciary       Sen. Karl Rhoads, Chair       Sen. Mike Gabbard, Vice-Chair From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii Ted Kefalas, Director of Strategic Campaigns RE: TESTIMONY IN SUPPORT OF HB1728 HD1 SD1 —

Read More →

Emergency management reform needed to balance powers

April 8, 2026, 2 p.m. Hawaii State Capitol Conference Room 325 and Videoconference To: House Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs        Rep. David A. Tarnas, Chair        Rep. Mahina Poepoe, Vice-Chair From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii             Ted Kefalas, Director

Read More →

State should abolish vacant positions after two years, not five

April 8, 2026, 2 p.m. Hawaii State Capitol Conference Room 308 and Videoconference To: House Committee on Finance       Rep. Chris Todd, Chair       Rep. Jenna Takenouchi, Vice Chair From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii Ted Kefalas, Director of Strategic Campaigns RE: TESTIMONY IN SUPPORT OF SB2014 SD1

Read More →

Government notice posting needs centralized website

April 7, 2026, 2 p.m. Hawaii State Capitol Conference Room 325 and Videoconference To: House Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs       Rep. David A. Tarnas, Chair       Rep. Mahina Poepoe, Vice Chair From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii Ted Kefalas, Director of Strategic Campaigns RE: COMMENTS ON

Read More →

Transfer idle special fund balances to help shore up general fund

April 7, 2026, 2 p.m. Hawaii State Capitol Conference Room 308 and Videoconference To: House Committee on Finance        Rep. Chris Todd, Chair        Rep. Jenna Takenouchi, Vice Chair From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii Ted Kefalas, Director of Strategic Campaigns RE: TESTIMONY IN SUPPORT OF SB2921 SD1 —

Read More →

Income tax cut repeal could stunt business growth and harm families

April 7, 2026, 2 p.m. Hawaii State Capitol Conference Room 308 and Videoconference To: House Committee on Finance        Rep. Chris Todd, Chair        Rep. Jenna Takenouchi, Vice Chair       From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii Ted Kefalas, Director of Strategic Campaigns RE: TESTIMONY WITH

Read More →

Preapproved housing plans could reduce permitting delays

April 7, 2026, 10 a.m. Hawaii State Capitol Conference Room 411 and Videoconference To: House Committee on Water & Land       Rep. Mark J. Hashem, Chair       Rep. Dee Morikawa, Vice Chair From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii Ted Kefalas, Director of Strategic Campaigns RE: TESTIMONY IN

Read More →

Self-certification program could streamline permitting process

April 7, 2026, 9:25 a.m.  Hawaii State Capitol Conference Room 229 and Videoconference To: Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection       Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole, Chair       Sen. Carol Fukunaga, Vice Chair From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii            Ted Kefalas, Director of Strategic

Read More →

Rainwater catchment systems should be allowed statewide

April 7, 2026, 10:15 a.m. Hawaii State Capitol Conference Room 016 and Videoconference To: Senate Committee on Judiciary       Sen. Karl Rhoads, Chair       Sen. Mike Gabbard, Vice-Chair From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii Ted Kefalas, Director of Strategic Campaigns RE: TESTIMONY IN SUPPORT OF HB1728 HD1 SD1 —

Read More →
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii logo