What went well — and wrong — at the 2023 Hawaii Legislature

by Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, May 18, 2023

Audiences on three islands were treated last week to an inside look at the 2023 Hawaii legislative session, and according to the featured speakers from the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, the results weren’t always pretty. However, there also were some notable victories and a lot of other positive developments that give hope for more progress in future sessions.

On Maui and Oahu, the luncheon presentations featured Institute staffers Keli‘i Akina, president and CEO; Malia Hill, policy director; and Ted Kefalas, director of strategic campaigns. On Hawaii Island, representing the Institute were again Hill, as well as Sean Mitsui, finance director; and Jensen Ahokovi, research associate,

Listing here any of the many excellent observations and comments would not do the presentations justice — OK, except maybe for Hill’s comment that the state’s spending cap is more like spending speed bump, considering how ineffective it is. There also were some excellent questions from the audiences.

Unfortunately, only the Maui and Oahu events were recorded. You can see the Maui event here and the Oahu event here. Complete transcripts are included.

VIDEO: What went well — and wrong at the 2023 Hawaii Legislature (Maui event)

VIDEO: What went well — and wrong — at the 2023 Hawaii Legislature (Oahu event)