#Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
Maui Council advances tax relief extension for Lahaina wildfire survivors
The Maui County Council unanimously passed a bill on first reading Friday that would extend real property tax relief for Lahaina wildfire survivors through June 2028. Bill 171 seeks to assist property owners whose lands remain unoccupiable. It also helps those who are undergoing active rebuilding following the August 2023 wildfires. The measure targets properties […]
Op-Ed: Delays spell doom for rebuilding Lahaina as we knew it
In a new op-ed, policy analyst Jonathan Helton shares how red tape, economic losses and resident departures are slowing Lahaina’s recovery — and why policymakers must act quickly to change it.
Grassroot Institute outlines 4 more ways to speed up Lahaina’s recovery
As the second anniversary approaches of the wildfires that destroyed much of Maui’s beloved Lahaina town, the Grassroot Institute of Hawaiʻi is calling for more action from state and county leaders to improve what it describes as a sluggish rebuilding process.
Op-Ed: Interstate telehealth could be lifesaver for Maui patients
Op-Ed: Malia Hill, policy director for the Grassroot Institute of Hawaiʻi shares her thoughts on interstate Telehealth for Maui.
Council hears support for proposed real property tax rates
Maui County Council members accepted oral and written testimony Tuesday on revised real property tax rates that reduced rates in some categories while retaining proposed rates in others. The Council recessed its meeting until June 3. Final action on tax rates and second-and-final reading on the fiscal 2026 budget are scheduled for that date in […]
Grassroot Institute reviews legislative session, citing wins on permitting, tax hikes
State lawmakers passed legislation aimed at accelerating Maui’s wildfire recovery and approving a 60-day “shot clock” for counties to review building permits, a chronic cause of delaying construction projects in Hawaiʻi. Those were a couple of takeaways from a May 16 Grassroot Institute of Hawaii legislative wrap-up event titled “What went down at the Capitol […]
Op-Ed: Kauaʻi, Maui lawmakers poised to boost opportunities for agricultural entrepreneurship
*****Views expressed in Op-Ed pieces are those of the author’s alone and do not reflect or represent the opinions, policies or positions of Maui Now.*****
Legislation would redefine what’s a ‘historic’ building in Hawaiʻi
A bill that would change rules for assessing “historic” buildings in Hawaiʻi has crossed over from the Senate and is being considered by the state House of Representatives. Senate Bill 15 Senate Draft 1 would amend the definition of “historic property” by requiring that a property meets the criteria for inclusion in the Hawai‘i Register […]
Grassroot Institute proposes expedited permitting for housing shortage relief
The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii is proposing seven low-cost ways to expedite housing construction in Hawaiʻi.
Plumbing the depths of Maui’s housing shortage: Can small changes have a big impact?
Maui County’s water-fixture-unit regulations and related fees have not been updated since 1995 and are at least partially responsible for driving up costs for building much-needed housing, according to a policy brief by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii.
Grassroot Institute to host event on Lahaina rebuilding and Maui’s housing shortage
Policy suggestions for rebuilding Lahaina and increasing Maui’s housing supply will be the focus of a luncheon event sponsored by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii from noon to 1 p.m. Sept. 24 at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center.
Op-Ed by The Grassroot Institute of Hawaiʻi: Plan to ban thousands of TVRs on Maui has rocky road ahead
Op-Ed: A plan to phase out more than 7,000 transient vacation rentals that have been operating legally in Maui apartment districts since 1989 likely has a long and rocky road ahead of it, according to The Grassroot Institute of Hawai’i.
New public-private partnership on Maui provides hope for affordable homes, but raises questions of fairness
“Those are wonderful prices. Whoever wins the lottery on these 60 homes is going to truly win the lottery, so that better damn well be a fair lottery,” King said with a laugh. “I’m a little bit worried about the future asks, but I’m going to support this,” said Councilmember Kelly King.
While the price is right for homes being built at Pulelehua, questions are raised about fair practices and proper prescedent.
Op-Ed: Grassroot Institute of Hawaiʻi on Bill 107, well intended, but not the right fix
The Institute testified the new ordinance is likely to do more harm than good toward the cause of encouraging more homebuilding
Grassroot Institute of Hawaiʻi Survey: Too Many Government Regulations in Hawaiʻi
The Grassroot Institute of Hawaiʻi — a nonpartisan, nonprofit research and educational institute devoted to promoting individual liberty, economic freedom and limited, accountable government — conducted a survey of 933 people statewide about government regulations and found a majority think the state has too many regulations.
Truth in Accounting CEO Speaking at Grassroot Institute of Hawaiʻi Event on Maui
The Grassroot Institute of Hawaiʻi is hosting an in-person event featuring Sheila Weinberg, founder and CEO of Truth in Accounting, on Aug. 19 at the J. Walter Cameron Center in Wailuku. Seating starts at 12:30 pm, with the 1-hour luncheon presentation beginning at 1 pm. Tickets are $10.
