Building a more free and prosperous Hawaii — together

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

My late friend and mentor Dick Rowland didn’t start the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii 25 years ago to be politically divisive. He would explain that instead of thinking about what is “left” or “right,” we must consider what will bring us down toward a more intrusive state — in which the bigger government gets, the smaller we get — or up toward liberty, which is the key to a brighter future.

Dick envisioned bringing people together to find common ground, guided by shared principles. I was filled with so much gratitude at Grassroot’s 25th Anniversary Gala last week as we celebrated that vision with nearly 400 supporters, staff and their family and friends who connect with our mission.

Grassroot has strived to become recognized as one of the most influential voices in public policy in Hawaii, and I am proud to say we are there.

Honolulu Civil Beat recently wrote that “What started a quarter century ago as one man’s mission to promote individual liberty and economic freedom in Hawaii has become a substantial force in effecting public policy statewide.”

But, as I said in my speech at the gala, our influence is not just about policy. It’s about people — the individuals and families who live in these islands.

Back in 2024, Grassroot launched a campaign to make life in Hawaii more affordable by lowering income taxes. Hundreds of our supporters testified. Lawmakers listened. And Hawaii enacted the largest income tax cut in state history — more than $7 billion over the coming years.

This year, we protected those tax cuts by showing policymakers where to cut existing government spending and waste.

Our staff have also shown policymakers how to cut through unnecessary regulations so that individuals and businesses alike are free to prosper.

We do all of this because we believe Hawaii can be a place where young people have greater opportunities to stay, families can afford homes, businesses can grow and residents can build their own futures.

One story I am proud of is about how Grassroot supported the dreams of Kaiulani Flores, who wanted to start a hair-braiding business on Maui. Hawaii’s occupational licensing laws stood in her way, requiring thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours of irrelevant training.

Kaiulani joined us at the Legislature to support the passage of a bill that would make it easier and less expensive for hair braiders to become licensed. And together, we won.

Thousands of people across our state face similar burdens and need Grassroot to help change the policies that hold them back. But we can’t do that work alone.

When Dick Rowland started the Grassroot Institute 25 years ago, he intentionally chose not to use “Grassroots” — with an “s” — because he believed in the power of individuals who, like single blades of grass, become stronger when they stand together.

So I invite you to stand with us. Stay connected. Join us in this work. The future we envision for Hawaii will be built by people who believe that liberty matters, that opportunity matters, and that the people of Hawaii deserve the freedom to flourish.

As Dick used to say: “Upward!”

E hana kākou! (Let’s work together!)

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