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Grassroot Institute on Fox News
October 2009
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii President Jamie Story makes an appearance on Fox News explaining the consequences of the Abercrombie bill that would move a military base on Japan to Guam....(more)
Grassroot Video Education Series: Who is indigenous?
August 2009
Grassroot Weekly Video Education Series: The Akaka Bill will Decide who is Indigenous to Hawaii To support the nonpartisan efforts of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii please visit www.grassrootinstitute.org...(more)
Mr President Please Don't Allow Hawaii to be Divided by Race with the Akaka Bill.
August 2009
Grassroot Weekly Video Education Series: An Open Letter to the President on The Akaka Bill To support the nonpartisan efforts of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii please visit www.grassrootinstitute.org...(more)
GRIH Video on The Akaka Bill: Another government?
July 2009
Grassroot Weekly Video Information Series He Hawaii au Another Government? Everyone is subject to the laws of the local, state and federal governments. Our taxes pay for government and the public services they provide. Each tax dollar is precious, and we strive to use that money to directly benefit the public which paid it. The Akaka Bill will create a new government, with more overhead, which will affect everyone in the State of Hawaii. The Akaka Bill government will not be directly accountable to the general public, but only to those defined as Hawaiian by race. One third of the Hawaiians identified by the Akaka Bill do not live in Hawaii today, and may have never lived there before. These people, simply because of their race, will lay claim to lands and resources which should be for the benefit of the entire public of Hawaii. He Hawaii au; he mau Hawaii kakou a pau. I am Hawaiian; we are all Hawaiian! For more information on the Akaka Bill and other public policy issues please visit: www.grassrootinstitute.org...(more)
Akaka Bill Info Series: How Hanaied Children are disallowed
July 2009
Grassroot Institute Weekly Video Education Series: Hanai How people of every background built the Kingdom of Hawaii and the State of Hawaii but the Akaka Bill will divide us along bloodlines! To support the nonpartisan efforts of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii regarding the Akaka bill and other vital issues, please visit www.grassrootinstitute.org and www.luv-hawaii.org...(more)
Hawaii DOE Trim The Fat Contest 2009
June 2009
DOE Trim the Fat Contest HURRY DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES IS JUNE 22! New Contest to Help Trim doe's Budget Help Hawaii's Education System by Identifying Waste and Inefficiencies June 11, 2009, Honolulu --- Like the rest of the state during the current economic challenges, the Department of Education needs to go on a diet! The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii (GRIH) and Smart Business Hawaii (SBH) announced today a new contest to help the employees of DOE do just that by identifying ways to trim the Departments budget and possibly remove the need for job furloughs. The competition begins today, with a deadline of 5pm HST on June 22, 2009. All residents of Hawaii are eligible, but those under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult when collecting their prize. Winners will be announced on June 30 at the state capitol. Prizes include: • First prize is a deluxe limousine ride to and from a private boat trip off Honolulu. • Second place wins two nights at the award-winning Princess Kailulani hotel. • Third place receives dinner for two at the world famous Roy's Restaurant. "SBH and GRIH decided on an innovative way to encourage state employees, especially those in the DOE, to help the Governor and taxpayers identify waste and inefficiencies in their department," said SBH president Sam Slom. "We want examples and procedures that result in immediate tax and spending savings as well as long term spending improvements. Perhaps the savings will help salvage some of the proposed <b>...</b>...(more)
The Next Haole: How the Akaka Bill will Divide Hawaii
June 2009
Grassroot Institute Weekly Video Education Series: The Next Haole How people of every background built the Kingdom of Hawaii and the State of Hawaii but the Akaka Bill will divide us along bloodlines! To support the nonpartisan efforts of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii regarding the Akaka bill and other vital issues, please visit www.grassrootinstitute.org and www.luv-hawaii.org...(more)
Not Hawaiian Enough? Mau Piailug
June 2009
Grassroot Institute Weekly Video Education Series: Master Marine Navigator Mau Piailug. To support the nonpartisan efforts of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii regarding the Akaka bill and other vital issues, please visit www.grassrootinstitute.org...(more)
GRIH Akaka Bill Education Series: Father Damien
May 2009
Grassroot Institute Weekly Video Education Series: Father Damien To support the nonpartisan efforts of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii regarding the Akaka bill and other vital issues, please visit www.grassrootinstitute.o...(more)
GRIH Video Info Series: Akaka Bill - Keoni Olohana
May 2009
In a continuing effort to discuss and educate the citizens of Hawaii on the possible effects of the proposed Akaka Bill or the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act of 2009 (S. 708 and HR 1711) the Grassroot Institiute presents a series of 60 second videos featuring GRIH Senior Fellow Jere Krischel, who is also part native hawaiian, discussing the issues from various points of view. For more information please visit: www.grassrootinstitute.org http...(more)
Hawaiian Enough? (GRIH Akaka Bill Video Info Series)
May 2009
In a continuing effort to discuss and educate the citizens of Hawaii on the possible effects of the proposed Akaka Bill or the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act of 2009 (S. 708 and HR 1711) the Grassroot Institiute presents a series of 60 second videos featuring GRIH Senior Fellow Jere Krischel, who is also part native hawaiian, discussing the issues from various points of view. For more information please visit: www.grassrootinstitute.org http...(more)
Hawaii Tax Day Tea Party '09 - Grassroot Institute
April 2009
Hawaii Tax Day Tea Party '09 - Grassroot Institute President Jamie Story and Pork Report author and Policy Analyst Pearl Hahn speak to the estimated 2000 citizens gathered at the Hawaii state capitol on April 15th to protest high taxes and a lack of transparency in state and local government. For more information please visit www.grassrootinstitute.org the Grassroot Institute of hawaiico-sponso...(more)
hawaiivotes.org on KITV television
April 2009
The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii recently unleashed the new web site hawaiivotes.org at the State Capitol. This is a clip from a local newscast that evening. Hawaii Voters Get New Transparency Tool Powerful, free website empowers citizens to track activity of state legislature and individual lawmakers March 24, 2009 --- Citizens now have a powerful, online tool to track the actions of Hawaiis state legislature and individual legislators. hawaiivotes.org is a free website that provides concise, non-partisan, plain-English descriptions of every bill, amendment and vote in the Hawaii House and Senate. These are all sortable by legislator, issue category, keyword and more, allowing a citizen to quickly create a custom voting record guide for any legislator on any issue. How did a state representative or senator vote on an issue or bill that you care about? What bills and amendments did each legislator sponsor? What legislation actually became law this year and what did not? What would all these bills actually do (vs. what their sponsors intend)? Which legislators have missed the most votes, and how many did yours miss? The answers to all those questions and more are at citizens fingertips 24 hours a day on hawaiivotes.org. hawaiivotes.org is a free public service from the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii (GRIH), a nonpartisan, nonprofit research and educational institution. The purpose of the new site is to inform citizens, media and public officials about legislation that <b>...</b>...(more)
Inter. Climate Change Conf. - NOAA Interview Part 1
April 2009
At the recent Heartland Institute's International Conference on Climate Change 2009 in New York City, which GRIH co-sponsored, Grassroot Institute Policy Analyst Pearl Hahn sat down with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Meteorologist Stanley Goldenberg who heads the Atlantic Oceanographic & MET Lab Hurricane Department at the agency. This is PART 1 of that interview. For more information please visit: www.noaa.gov AND http...(more)
International Climate Change Conf. - Part 1 (Todd Wynn)
April 2009
The Second Annual International Conference on Climate Change 2009 Scientists, economists, and climate experts with a skeptical view of climate change alarmism gathered in New York City on March 8-10, 2009 to discuss why they believe the global warming crisis has been canceled and whether a crisis ever really existed in first place. GRIH Policy Analyst Pearl Hahn attended the event and filed this interview with Todd Wynn of the Cascade Policy Institute. The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii is one of the co-sponsors of the event along with The Heartland Institute and other organizations. Approximately 1000 scientists, economists, policy experts, elected officials, civic activists and business leaders attended the conference. For more information please visit: www.grassrootinstitute.org...(more)
Hawaii Pork Report: The Community Speaks: PART 1
February 2009
The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii and Citizens Against Government Waste have released the first-ever Hawaii Pork Report 2009. Grassroot President Jamie Story and world famous PIGFOOT the mascot against government waste interview people on the streets of Honolulu and Waikiki. READ the Hawaii Pork Report at www.grassrootinstitute.org...(more)
Hawaii Pork Report: The Community Speaks: PART 2
February 2009
The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii and Citizens Against Government Waste have released the first-ever Hawaii Pork Report 2009. Grassroot President Jamie Story and world famous PIGFOOT the mascot against government waste interview people on the streets of Honolulu and Waikiki. READ the Hawaii Pork Report at www.grassrootinstitute.org...(more)
2009 Hawaii Pork Rpt. - Press Conf. PART 3
February 2009
2009 Hawaii Pork Report Press Conference 1.28/2009 Hawaii State Capitol Grassroot Institute and CAGW Expose Waste in Hawaii Government! Hawaii taxpayers recently paid almost $3000 for a state employee to travel to Los Angeles for the Grammy Music Awards, according to a new report from The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii (GRIH) and premiere taxpayer watchdog group Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW). In the midst of a significant state budget shortfall, the 2009 Hawaii Pork Report reveals that bureaucrats continue to spend taxpayer dollars in questionable ways. The exposé, which is the first of its kind in the state, reveals egregious waste, abuse and mismanagement of taxpayer dollars—and gives concrete examples of overspending to policymakers looking to trim fat from state and local budgets. Some examples of frivolous spending that are sure to raise the ire of hard-working citizens include: •$2829.91 for a state employee to travel to California for the Grammy Awards; •$875000 to reconstruct a hiking trail that is now barred from public access at a cost of an additional $50000 a year; •$130000 to an artist for ceramic tiles adorning water coolers at the Hawaii Convention Center; and •$2400000 for substitute custodians in public schools. Pearl Hahn, GRIH policy analyst and lead author of the report, remarked, The only thing more shocking than the sheer amount of waste is the degree to which government officials will go to hide that waste. This report gives dozens of <b>...</b>...(more)
Hawaii Pork Rpt. Press Conf.-PART 2
February 2009
Press Conference at Hawaii State Capitol 1.28.09 Release of the 2009 Hawaii Pork Report by Grassroot Institute and CAGW Exposes Waste in Hawaii Government. Hawaii taxpayers recently paid almost $3000 for a state employee to travel to Los Angeles for the Grammy Music Awards, according to a new report from The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii (GRIH) and premiere taxpayer watchdog group Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW). In the midst of a significant state budget shortfall, the 2009 Hawaii Pork Report reveals that bureaucrats continue to spend taxpayer dollars in questionable ways. The exposé, which is the first of its kind in the state, reveals egregious waste, abuse and mismanagement of taxpayer dollars—and gives concrete examples of overspending to policymakers looking to trim fat from state and local budgets. Some examples of frivolous spending that are sure to raise the ire of hard-working citizens include: •$2829.91 for a state employee to travel to California for the Grammy Awards; •$875000 to reconstruct a hiking trail that is now barred from public access at a cost of an additional $50000 a year; •$130000 to an artist for ceramic tiles adorning water coolers at the Hawaii Convention Center; and •$2400000 for substitute custodians in public schools. Pearl Hahn, GRIH policy analyst and lead author of the report, remarked, The only thing more shocking than the sheer amount of waste is the degree to which government officials will go to hide that waste. This report <b>...</b>...(more)
Hawaii Pork Report 2009 - Press Conf. Part 1
January 2009
2009 Hawaii Pork Report Grassroot Institute and CAGW Expose Waste in Hawaii Government Hawaii taxpayers recently paid almost $3000 for a state employee to travel to Los Angeles for the Grammy Music Awards, according to a new report from The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii (GRIH) and premiere taxpayer watchdog group Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW). In the midst of a significant state budget shortfall, the 2009 Hawaii Pork Report reveals that bureaucrats continue to spend taxpayer dollars in questionable ways. The exposé, which is the first of its kind in the state, reveals egregious waste, abuse and mismanagement of taxpayer dollars—and gives concrete examples of overspending to policymakers looking to trim fat from state and local budgets. Some examples of frivolous spending that are sure to raise the ire of hard-working citizens include: •$2829.91 for a state employee to travel to California for the Grammy Awards; •$875000 to reconstruct a hiking trail then close it with security for additional $50000 a year; •$130000 to an artist for ceramic tiles adorning water coolers at the Hawaii Convention Center; and •$2400000 for substitute custodians in public schools. Pearl Hahn, GRIH policy analyst and lead author of the report, remarked, The only thing more shocking than the sheer amount of waste is the degree to which government officials will go to hide that waste. This report gives dozens of examples of abuse of taxpayer dollars—but there are hundreds, if not <b>...</b>...(more)
Akaka Bill Econ Study Press Conf. 1.8.09
January 2009
The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii (GRIH) has released a new study it sponsored from the Beacon Hill Institute at Suffolk University. 'The Economic Impact of the Akaka Bill: Unintended Consequences for Hawaii' estimates that the Akaka bill could cost the state up to $690 million per year in lost tax revenue. The Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act of 2007 (S.310 and HR505) in the 110th Congress, also known as the Akaka Bill after sponsor Senator Daniel Akaka, proposes to create a sovereign independent Native Hawaiian Governing Entity (NHGE) within the state of Hawaii. This is the first study on the economic impacts of the proposed bill, which is expected to be re-introduced in the new session of Congress with President Obama indicating his support. The new 'The Economic Impact of the Akaka Bill: Unintended Consequences for Hawaii' study is available free of charge at the Grassroot Institute web site. Please visit: www.grassrootinstitute.org...(more)
GRIH Luncheon with ATR Pres. Grover Norquist
November 2008
Americans for Tax Reform President Grover Norquist discusses American politics and his new book "Leave us Alone" at a recent Grassroot Institute luncheon at the Pearl City Country Club in Hawaii....(more)
'About...Gov. Transparency' with GRIH Pres. Jamie Story
October 2008
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii President Jamie Story talks about the importance of transparency in Hawaii government. For more info please visit: www.grassrootinstitute.org...(more)
GRIH Pres. Jamie Story on School Choice
October 2008
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii President Jamie Story responds to the recent DOE press conference and its need to cut its budget as well as the importance of School Choice in Hawaii and across America. For more information please visit: www.grassrootinstitute.org...(more)
Hawaii DOE- Look to Waste and Fraud for Budget cuts!
October 2008
Hawaii DOE Should Look to Waste, Fraud, and Abuse in Budget Cuts! Grassroot TV features video of press conference and suggests that fake workers comp claims be investigated. Sept. 26, 2008 --- The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, a free-market think tank based in Honolulu, has released selected video highlights from the recent press conference where Hawaii Department of Education (DOE) Superintendent Patricia Hamamoto discussed the pending budget cuts requested recently by Governor Linda Lingle. Due to tax revenue shortfalls, all state agencies have been asked to prepare 10 percent, 15 percent and 20 percent budget cut proposals for their 2009-2011 discretionary budgets. Superintendent Hamamoto gave a live television address and then held a press conference, which Grassroot TV correspondent Tom mcauliffe attended. In her talk Hamamoto proposed $31.5 million in budget cuts or less than half of the $69 million in cuts that may be required. "It's a start but still a fraction of the agency's total annual budget of $2.4 billion," said mcauliffe, who also serves as the Communications Director at the Institute. Furthermore, it's puzzling as to why the DOE doesn't address the $66.9 million in workers comp claims that did not have "sufficient evidence" to justify the claim, as addressed in the 2007 audit. This is almost equal to the entire amount of budget cuts required," he said. "If true, how can this sort of fleecing of the Hawaii taxpayer be allowed and why is it not being <b>...</b>...(more)
Grassroot Insight Audio Interviews
Jamie Story interviewed by National Tax Foundation.
Foundation Manager of State Relations Tonya Barr talks with Jamie Story, President of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, discussing how these tax increases could affect the Aloha State's residents and businesses.
'Grassroot Insight' - Podcast #43
GRIH Policy Analyst Pearl Hahn discusses the new GRIH Policy Brief, "Hawaii’s Prepaid Health Care Act and Far-Reaching Costs".
