Keliʻi Akina, Ph.D.
Latest from Keliʻi Akina, Ph.D.
Community Voices: More local food starts with housing
A look at several measures that have been introduced during this year’s state legislative session that could actually make a difference for Hawaiʻi’s farmers and ranchers, and for Hawaiʻi residents and consumers as a whole.
Keliʻi Akina & Ph.D.February 18, 2026
Community Voices: The kind of playbook Hawaiʻi lawmakers need
State and county lawmakers have started taking small steps to lift some of the many regulations that have stifled homebuilding in Hawaiʻi, but bold action is needed to pare back decades of bad policy.
Keliʻi Akina & Ph.D.February 10, 2026
Community Voices: Honolulu’s economic revitalization office has revitalized very little
Ultimately, this should come as a shock to no one.
Keliʻi Akina & Ph.D.February 02, 2026
Community Voices: Alternatives to ‘pausing’ Hawai‘i’s income tax cuts
A Grassroot analysis of the governor’s proposed budget shows that rather than walk back the tax cuts, the Legislature could simply identify and reallocate about $350 million a year in current state funding to make up for the governor’s projected expenses.
Keliʻi Akina & Ph.D.January 26, 2026
Community Voices: How to achieve a policy trifecta
What if we could help farmers, ease the housing crisis and improve Hawaiʻi’s economy all at the same time?
Keliʻi Akina & Ph.D.January 13, 2026
Community Voices: Three simple resolutions for Hawaiʻi lawmakers in 2026
And if they stick to them, this year could be a great one for everyone who lives and works in Hawaiʻi.
Keliʻi Akina & Ph.D.January 06, 2026
Community Voices: There’s a new kids’ market in town
The Children’s Entrepreneur Market aims to help keiki learn about entrepreneurship, innovation and leadership through hands-on experience.
Keliʻi Akina & Ph.D.December 18, 2025
Community Voices: Lessons from Lahaina could help Hilo recover
Although the scope of the Lahaina and Hilo fires differs, the lesson is the same: Inflexible regulations can severely delay or even prevent rebuilding. Hawai‘i County could act now to identify and work around those barriers.
Keliʻi Akina & Ph.D.December 10, 2025
Community Voices: State-funded marketing is not the answer to low tourist turnout
Tourism is a competitive, global business. Someone needs to pay for advertising to keep Hawai‘i top of mind, but it shouldn't be local taxpayers.
Keliʻi Akina & Ph.D.November 27, 2025
Community Voices: Many of the proposed Honolulu Charter amendments actually make sense
Among the 250 charter amendment proposals submitted by the public were four from Grassroot Institute of Hawai‘i aimed at speeding up permit approvals and improving cost-of-government accountability.
Keliʻi Akina & Ph.D.November 21, 2025
Community Voices: Lahaina rebuilding inches toward progress
Maui County lawmakers have succeeded at removing some of the barriers to speedy reconstruction.
Keliʻi Akina & Ph.D.October 29, 2025
Community Voices: Rail is a fail; who’s going to hit the brakes?
We don't know yet just how late and over budget the Honolulu Skyline rail system will be. We do know that its annual budget is growing by nearly 10% a year and city officials are talking about any number of rail extensions. Maybe it's time to let the public drive this train and put such decisions to a vote.
Keliʻi Akina & Ph.D.October 21, 2025
Community Voices: Erasing progress not the way to move forward
Last year, state lawmakers passed Act 39, a major piece of housing reform — but the state's most populous county is trying to get that legislation overturned.
Keliʻi Akina & Ph.D.October 09, 2025
Community Voices: Do we really want a ‘rubber stamp’ Legislature?
Hawai‘i's legislators vote "yes" on bills a staggering 98% of the time. Where is the debate on issues that affect us all?
Keliʻi Akina & Ph.D.October 02, 2025
Community Voices: Hawaiʻi Legislature sued over ‘blank’ bills
The League of Women Voters of Hawaiʻi contends that this practice of passing a measure with boilerplate language is unconstitutional. Learn also what lawmakers claim.
Keliʻi Akina & Ph.D.September 16, 2025
Community Voices: Kudos to the counties for considering housing reforms
Maui and Hawai‘i counties are both looking into ways to make housing more plentiful.
Keliʻi Akina & Ph.D.September 10, 2025
Community Voices: Time to retire the Jones Act’s U.S.-build requirement
The Jones Act was supposed to protect the American shipbuilding industry, but the industry has withered away despite that support. New legislation by U.S. Rep. Ed Case of Hawai‘i proposes changes to the act that could ultimately reduce shipping costs to the Islands.
Keliʻi Akina & Ph.D.September 03, 2025
Community Voices: Are you ready for another boondoggle?
Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa has a history of rightfully targeting Honolulu’s rail project for its wasteful spending. Which brings us to the planned Aloha Stadium project...
Keliʻi Akina & Ph.D.August 26, 2025
Community Voices: ‘New’ HTA board taking off with same old baggage
A government entity tasked with both promoting and limiting tourism is always going to be compromised.
Keliʻi Akina & Ph.D.August 22, 2025
Two years later, too little rebuilding in Lahaina
Hereʻs how federal, state and county policymakers could go about speeding up the process for displaced residents and business owners.
Keliʻi Akina & Ph.D.August 12, 2025
Community Voices: Grassroot views on housing reform going mainstream
You might be surprised which U.S. Senator is taking the YIMBY approach — yes, in my backyard.
Keliʻi Akina & Ph.D.August 08, 2025