President's Corner: A New Year and New Scholars at Grassroot

by Keli'i Akina, Ph.D., President/CEO, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii

I am pleased to introduce the first of several experts who will be joining us as Grassroot Institute Scholars starting in 2014. We welcome Doug Bandow, a key thought leader on Asia-USA Affairs, a growing area of concern for Grassroot as we develop global economic solutions for Hawaii and advance Hawaii's role in promoting freedom throughout the Asia-Pacific region. Bandow, a graduate of Georgetown Law School, is a former special assistant to President Ronald Reagan and now a senior fellow at the Cato Institute in Washington DC. He is a prolific writer and nationally known in the areas of foreign policy and civil liberties. Doug has been editor of Inquiry magazine and a frequent contributor to Fortune magazine, National Interest, the Wall Street Journal, and the Washington Times.

Doug and I recently overlapped in our travels in China and shared some perspectives on the tensions created by North Korean politics at that time. Watch us discuss this and other Asia-Pacific issues relevant for Hawaii in the current broadcast of "E Hana Kakou," Grassroot Institute's weekly televised program on the ThinkTech Hawaii Broadcast Network (see link below).

We welcome Doug as a Grassroot Institute Scholar and look forward to applying his expertise to the furtherance of individual liberty, free markets, and limited accountable government in Hawaii and throughout the entire Asia-Pacific region..

From Pyongyang to D.C.: Grassroot talks with Doug Bandow

Cato Institute senior fellow Doug Bandow recently discussed global freedom concerns with Grassroot Institute president Dr. Keli’i Akina and policy director Malia Hill, starting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s execution of his uncle Jang Song Thaek. Bandow explained how, from the vantage point of the Chinese, “distaste for North Korea” is seeping into government policy, even in the area of human rights.  While this may be a positive trend in the direction of China’s evolving self- conception, ironically, the United States may be heading a different direction in light of the growth of federal government control and the restriction of individual freedoms and states’ rights.  In addition to being an expert on Asia-USA affairs and a former special assistant to President Ronald Reagan, Bandow is a nationally known voice on federal fiscal policy.  In his opinion, the Affordable Care Act (known as Obamacare) is clearly an example of government over-reach.  Dr. Akina asked Bandow for his thoughts on the fact that Hawaii had already achieved a 92% rate of medical insurance coverage for its population prior to the Affordable Care Act. Click here to watch the entire discussion.

January is School Choice Month!

Join Grassroot Institute as we dedicate this month to improving education in Hawaii.

Don't Miss Michael Medved and Lynn Finnegan at the January Calabash -

"Better Choices - Better Schools"

Tuesday, January 21st 12:30 - 2:30 pm Pacific Club

Click here for more information or to reserve your seat today!