News
Legislature OKs bill to help speed up infrastructure repairs in Lahaina
4+ hour, 56+ min ago (590+ words) Rebuilding Lahaina's roads, water lines and sewer system in the wake of the Aug. 8, 2023, wildfires could soon be easier, thanks to a bill passed earlier this month by the state Legislature. If approved by Gov. Josh Green, HB1823 will exempt federal,…...
Legislature approves bills that could help boost local food production
5+ hour, 23+ min ago (590+ words) The Hawai'i Legislature this year approved at least three bills that could help the state achieve its goal of increasing the amount of food grown here in the islands, and one of them has already become law. The measures are…...
Allowing two ADUs per lot would help combat housing crisis
2+ day, 14+ hour ago (575+ words) June 3, 2026, 9 a. m. Kalana O Maui Building To: Maui County Council House and Land Use Committee Nohelani U'u-Hodgins, Chair Kauanoe Batangan, Vice Chair From: Jonathan Helton, Policy Analyst Grassroot Institute of Hawaii RE: Bill 78 (2026) " ON ACCESSORY DWELLINGS ON RESIDENTIALLY ZONED LOTS Aloha…...
Make condo buyers immediately eligible for homeowner exemption
2+ day, 14+ hour ago (223+ words) June 3, 2026, 10 a. m. Honolulu Hale To: Honolulu City Council Tommy Waters, Chair Andria Tupola, Vice Chair From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii Ted Kefalas, Director of Strategic Campaigns RE: Bill 40 (2026) " RELATING TO REAL PROPERTY TAXATION Aloha Chair Waters, Vice Chair Tupola and other…...
Grassroot applauds fiscal prudence in Honolulu's proposed budget
2+ day, 14+ hour ago (317+ words) June 3, 2026, 10 a. m. Honolulu Hale To: Honolulu City Council Tommy Waters, Chair Andria Tupola, Vice Chair From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii Ted Kefalas, Director of Strategic Campaigns RE: Bill 22 (2026), CD2 " RELATING TO THE EXECUTIVE OPERATING BUDGET AND PROGRAM FOR THE FISCAL YEAR JULY…...
Property tax exemption increases would provide needed relief
2+ day, 14+ hour ago (415+ words) June 2, 2026, 9 a. m. Kalana O Maui Building To: Maui County Council Committee on Budget, Finance and Economic Development Yuki Lei Sugimura, Chair Kauanoe Batangan, Vice Chair From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii Jonathan Helton, Policy Analyst Re: Bill 181 (2025) " INCREASING THE AMOUNT OF THE…...
Property tax rollback bill needs amendments to protect taxpayers
2+ day, 14+ hour ago (295+ words) June 3, 2026, 8: 30 a. m. Historic County Building To: Kaua'i County Council Mel Rapozo, Chair Kipu Kai Kuali'i, Vice Chair From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii Jonathan Helton, Policy Analyst RE: Bill 2995 " RELATING TO REAL PROPERTY TAX Aloha Chair Rapozo, Vice Chair Kuali'i and other…...
Lawmakers choose innovation over red tape
1+ week, 4+ day ago (476+ words) What if we had another way to travel interisland? Something cheaper and more environmentally friendly than the usual airport-to-airport grind? No, I'm not talking about resurrecting the Hawaii Superferry. There's a new option on the horizon, and I'm excited to…...
Property tax rollback bill should protect against unjust penalties
2+ week, 1+ day ago (295+ words) May 27, 2026, 8: 30 a. m. Historic County Building To: Kaua'i County Council Arryl Kaneshiro, Chair Kipu Kai Kuali'i, Vice Chair From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii Jonathan Helton, Policy Analyst RE: Bill 2995 " RELATING TO REAL PROPERTY TAX Aloha Chair Kaneshiro, Vice Chair Kuali'i and other…...
A good lesson in curtailing government growth
2+ week, 4+ day ago (457+ words) Do not let it be said that I only criticize government officials. I also like to give credit where credit is due. This week, a substantial amount of credit and praise is owed to the Honolulu Budget Committee, which made…...