Grassroot Institute

This article is about the libertarian Grassroot organization. For the liberal Grassroot organization, see Grassroots (organization).
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
Founder(s) Richard Rowland
Established 2001
CEO Keli'i Akina
Budget Revenue: $315,124
Expenses: $263,379
(FYE December 2014)[1]
Location (21°18′23″N 157°51′37″W / 21.3064°N 157.8603°WCoordinates: 21°18′23″N 157°51′37″W / 21.3064°N 157.8603°W)
Address 355 Merchant Street, #3377
Honolulu, HI, 96801
Website www.grassrootinstitute.org

The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii is a think tank based in Honolulu, Hawaii. The organization's goals includes a free market economy, limited, accountable government, and the defense of the Bill of Rights.[2] The current CEO is Dr. Keli'i Akina. The Institute was founded in 2001 by Richard Rowland. It is a member of the State Policy Network, a network of state-based think tanks.

The Grassroot Institute's stated mission is "to promote the principles of individual liberty, free markets, and limited and accountable government throughout the state of Hawaii and the Pacific Rim."[3]

Economics

The Grassroot Institute conducts research and analysis of various issues from a free market perspective. Academic works are inspired by the writings of scholars such as Frederic Bastiat, Murray Rothbard, Milton Friedman, F.A. Hayek, and Adam Smith. Generally, the Institute opposes tax increases, such as Hawaii's General Excise Tax. The Institute found that the 0.5% GET increase of 2008 would result in nearly 6,000 private sector jobs lost, a decrease in investment of $125.4 million, a decrease in statewide personal income of $303 million, and a loss in disposable income by $646 million.[4]

Jones Act

The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii supports Jones Act reform that would address the disproportionate effect of the Act's shipbuilding and cabotage restrictions.

Hawaiian Sovereignty

Grassroot Instititute is concerned that the State of Hawaii's efforts to form and gain federal recognition of a race-based, sovereign nation are not in the best interest of Native Hawaiians nor the general population. Grassroot Institute states that it "will continue to advocate for the good of all people in Hawaii as we respond to efforts to use state agencies such as the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to concentrate unwarranted power and resources in the hands of a few."

Education

The Grassroot Institute supports school choice. The Institute has pointed out that despite the state Department of Education's expanding budget of $2.4 billion per year (an increase from $972 million eight years previously), public school students continue to perform at the bottom of the nation on NAEP assessments and enrollment in the system has decreased.[5]

References

  1. ↑ "Quickview data". GuideStar. See also "Charity Rating". Charity Navigator.
  2. ↑ Blair, Chad (June 19, 2013). "Making Waves: Kelii Akina and The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii". Honolulu Civil Beat. Retrieved 10 March 2015.
  3. ↑ "About Us". Grassroot Institute of Hawaii. Retrieved 10 March 2015.
  4. ↑ http://www.grassrootinstitute.org/Publications/RailGET_1008.pdf
  5. ↑ http://www.grassrootinstitute.org/Publications/LessForMore_1108.pdf

External links