Nationally Renowned Speaker Kicks off Hawaii Celebration of National School Choice Week

Michael Medved stresses importance of improving education options for students

News Release from Grassroot Institute

HONOLULU, Hawaii—January 21, 2014—Today, the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii kicked off its celebration of National School Choice Week in the state with nationally renowned speakers Michael S. Medved and Lynn Finnegan. The event, called "Better Choices - Better Schools," was intended to raise awareness about how expanding educational choice can help America prosper.

The kickoff event was one of 5,500 independently-planned events taking place during National School Choice Week 2014 – the nation’s largest-ever celebration of educational opportunity.

"National School Choice week is a non-partisan movement designed to bring together community leaders who want to promote better educational options for keiki and their parents,” said Keli'i Akina, Ph.D., President of Grassroot Institute of Hawaii. “We celebrate the many successful models of school choice which already exist within Hawaii's public and private schools, and look forward to fostering more examples across the state.”

Speaking at the event, Michael S. Medved--American radio host, author, political commentator and film critic--discussed the importance of choice and competition in education as a ways to empower students and their families. Medved’s Seattle-based, nationally syndicated talk show on Salem Media is America's highest-ranked show on pop culture and contemporary politics.

Lynn Finnegan, Executive Director of Hawaii Public Schools Charter Network, also spoke, stressing the role that charter schools can play in improving education options in our state. Ms. Finnegan is a veteran state legislator and former House Minority Leader.

"Grassroot Institute is proud to be part of the movement to improve education in Hawaii," added Dr. Akina. "By being part of National School Choice Week, we hope that we can help Hawaii's citizens learn more about how we can achieve real and sustainable improvements in our schools."

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