Mark your calendar: Annual 'legislative wrap-up' tour begins May 9

from Grassroot Institute, March 30, 2025

Most of the details remain to be confirmed, but at least we know the dates of this year's Grassroot legislative wrap-up tour during which Grassroot staffers such as Keli‘i Akina, Malia Hill, Ted Kefalas and Joe Kent will share their insights regarding the results of Hawaii's 2025 legislative session.

The fun will start on Friday, May 9, on Maui. From there, the forums will go to Hawaii Island's Hilo side on May 12, Kauai on May 13, and finally Oahu on May 14.  Stay tuned for more information.

Grassroot testimonies — mid to late March 2025

The following are the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii state and county testimonies listed in the March 28, 2025, edition of Grassroot Update newsletter. 

HAWAII STATE LEGISLATURE

HOUSE

>> HR60/HCR66 — “Increase allowable floors for single-stairway construction”

>> HCR67 — “Prioritize fixing problematic building code adoption process”

>> HR116/HCR120 — “Establish task force to explore feasibility of airport corporation”

>> HCR157/HR152 — “SPEED task force a welcome idea to help cut permitting delays”

>> HB126 HD1 Proposed SD1 — “Limit incentive of agencies to abuse civil asset forfeiture”

>> HB126 HD1 SD1 — “Protect property of the innocent, limit forfeiture to convicted felons”

>> HB131 — “Make government records more available for research purposes”

>> HB422 HD1 SD1 — “Do away with costly and irrelevant school impact fees”

>> HB422 HD1 — “Abolish costly, ineffective and legally iffy school impact fees”

>> HB476 HD2 — “Blank capital gains tax proposal unfair to civic engagement”

>> HB504 HD2 — “Reject another TAT hike, restore public confidence in lawmakers”

>> HB732 HD2 — “Adjust SMA valuation thresholds for certain permits and inflation”

>> HB826 HD1 — “Streamline land-use law to allow workforce housing on ag land”

>> HB830 HD2 — “Contract with third parties to cut down SHPD review wait times”

>> HB966 HD2 — “Set standards for ag tourism so farmers can diversify income”

>> HB1406 HD1 SD1 — “Task force assigned to streamline permitting would be welcome”

>> HB1409 HD1 — “Increasing density in TOD zones would provide many benefits”

>> HB1409 HD1 SD1 — “Increased density in TOD zones beneficial to housing, economy”

>> HB1424 HD1 — “Prevent misuse of state funds appropriated for vacant positions”

SENATE

>> SB15 SD1 HD1 — “Update definition to prevent onslaught of ‘historic properties’”

>> SB66 SD2 HD2 — “Shot clock’ approach provides homebuilders greater certainty”

>> SB66 SD2 HD1 — “Implement permitting ‘shot clock’ to facilitate quicker homebuilding”

>> SB106 — SD1 “Distance requirement dilutes value of bill to reform jaywalking rules”

>> SB125 SD2 HD1 — “Expand enterprise zone program to give more businesses a break”

>> SB125 SD2 HD1 — “Expansion of enterprise zones would incentivize local businesses”

>> SB353 SD2 HD1 — “Ensure government records are available during emergencies”

>> SB1002 SD2 HD2 — “Cut SHPD review time in half, allow DLNR to hire third parties”

>> SB1002 SD2 HD1 — “Let SHPD hire contractors if needed to meet review deadlines”

>> SB1065 SD2 — “Eliminate bachelor’s degree requirement when not necessary”

>> SB1065 SD2 HD1 — “Broaden workforce, require degree only when necessary”

>> SB1245 SD2 — “Require health plans to recognize pharmacists as participating providers“

>> SB1263 SD2 HD2 — “Prevent SHPD review delays in TOD zones, enforce deadlines”

>> SB1263 SD2 HD1 — “Expedite SHPD reviews in TOD zones”

>> SB1279 SD2  — “Allow pharmacists to serve eligible facilities, patients via telehealth”

>> SB1296 SD2 HD1 — “Expand SMA exemptions to make Lahaina recovery more feasible” 

>> HB1379 HD2 — “Licensure of foreign medical grads would help ease doctor shortage”

>> SB1396 SD3 HD1 — “Tourism tax bill threatens economy and is a travesty for transparency”

HAWAII’S COUNTIES

HONOLULU

>> Bill 1 (2025) CD1 — “Make outdoor dining program permanent for Oahu restaurants” 

>> Bill 3 (2025) — “Repeal well-intended but obsolete city tax rebates, permit waivers”

>> Bill 17 (2025) CD1 — “Increase homeowner exemption now to keep ahead of future assessments”

KAUAI

>> Bill 17 (2025) CD1 — “Increase homeowner exemption now to keep ahead of future assessments”

MAUI

>> Bill 40 (2025) — “Longer deed-restriction periods could make affordable housing less desirable“

>> Bill 103 (2024) — “Allow more homes per lot in Maui, Lanai residential zones”

>> Bill 104 (2024) —  “Allow two kitchenettes per dwelling to increase housing availability”

>> Bill 105 (2024) CD1 — “Reforms for nonconforming structures vital to Lahaina’s rebuilding”

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Coleman disputes 'Jones Act jobs' claims in CQ Researcher

Grassroot Communications Director Mark Coleman is quoted in a comprehensive new CQ Researcher report titled "U.S. Seaborne Shipping: Can the industry navigate a future shaped by China, climate change and consolidation?"

Coleman spoke with researcher Daniel C. Vock about how, contrary to the claims of the Jones Act lobby, U.S. maritime jobs have been declining in recent decades, as explained in the Grassroot policy brief he co-wrote recently with Jonathan Helton, titled "U.S. maritime jobs disappearing despite protectionist Jones Act."

Kent shares 'lessons from Maui wildfires' on national podcast

Grassroot Institute of Hawaii Executive Vice President Joe Kent participated in a national podcast recently sponsored by the Pasadena, California-based Pacific Research Institute concerning "lessons learned from the Maui wildfires that every Southern Californian should know" in the wake of the January fires that devastated parts of metropolitan Los Angeles and San Diego County. The one-hour program also featured Daniel Kolkey, PRI board member and chair of PRI’s California Reform Committee, and Steven Greenhut, director of PRI’s Free Cities Center. To watch the entire podcast, please go here.

Kefalas and Matsumoto have 'common sense' conversation

Grassroot's Ted Kefalas and Hawaii Rep. Lauren Matsumoto talked about affordable housing in Hawaii on the March 11 episode of Matsumoto's regular podcast, "On the right side: A common sense conversation." Matsumoto, who has served in the state Legislature since 2013, expressed optimism about the growing support for pro-housing reforms, saying that "since I’ve been in office, people have always been talking, like, ‘Cut the red tape. Let’s really look at regulations.' But I think this last year is the first time that I’ve really heard that sentiment truly from the majority.” Kefalas added: “The people that make the real difference are the average everyday citizens. What we’re trying to do at Grassroot is just trying to give those people the tools to get active and get engaged.”

Maui Alert notes Grassroot's concerns about proposed TAT hike

Grassroot's concerns about the Legislature potentially increasing the state transient accommodations tax were noted in Tuesday's edition of Maui Alert. In an article about Maui Mayor Richard Bissen's proposed fiscal 2026 budget, reporter Rayan Kai wrote that "Bissen’s plan holds the line on real property taxes," and homeowners would see continued relief through reduced rates and exemptions." On the other hand, Maui County "continues to face declining revenues from the general excise tax and transient accommodations tax, as tourism struggles to rebound."

With that in mind, Kai wrote that "the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii urged caution over increasing tourism-related taxes." He said Grassroot has testified that raising tourism taxes could further reduce visitor numbers and spending and hurt residents who rely on short-term lodging during medical treatment or emergencies. He said Grassroot instead urges "greater accountability in existing government spending."

>> National think tank tackles 'Lahaina problem'

A new report from the Washington, D.C.-based Competitive Enterprise Institute recommends several reforms that Hawaii lawmakers could implement to ease the state’s permitting woes and help speed up rebuilding efforts in Maui. Referencing "the Lahaina problem," the report is titled "Aloha Approvals: Surfing the Hawaii permitting bureaucracy," and echoes some of the suggestions advanced in the Grassroot of Hawaii’s October 2024 policy brief “Seven low-cost ways to speed up permitting in Hawaii,” such as making third-party permit approval programs permanent and strengthening Hawaii’s automatic-approval or “shot clock” laws.