Zoning Code, Permitting and Water Rules. The host for this show is Joe Kent. The guest is Syd Smith. Maui is one of the most regulated counties in the United States when it comes to land use and homebuilding — and this has proven to be a major obstacle to quick construction of emergency housing […]
Renewable Energy Conundrums (Hawaii Together)
Reliability, Cost Threaten Policy Goals. The host for this show is Joe Kent. The guest is Isaac Orr. Hawaii’s goal of 100% renewable energy by 2045 is intended to limit the state’s carbon footprint and decrease global warming, but recent events have highlighted some drawbacks related to reliability and cost. Isaac Orr, a policy fellow […]
Tax Relief for Wildfires (Talking Tax)
Extensions and How They Work. The hosts for this show are Mark Coleman and Tom Yamachika. The guest is Joe Kent. On August 18, 2023, the Internal Revenue Service announced ‘expansive tax relief’ for Hawai’i wildfire victims in Maui and Hawaii counties. We go over what that means, and also touch upon the relief that […]
Things Going Right at the City Council (Hawaii Together)
Improvements in Permitting and Tax Law. The host for this show is Joe Kent. The guest is Andria Tupola. The Honolulu City and County Council has the task of managing zoning, property taxes, police, social services and a number of other programs and laws on the most populous island in the state. It’s no easy […]
The Cost of Climate Change (Code Green)
What’s Retired Coal Plant Worth. The host for this show is Howard Wiig. The guest is Joe Kent. Many don’t see climate change as the tsunami that will engulf us all unless radical action is taken. One such is Joe Kent, Executive Vice President of Grassroots Institute. Joe questions the feasibility of Hawaiian Electric’s Grid […]
Is Hawaii’s Cesspool Law Feasible (Hawaii Together)
A Review of State and County Strategies. The host for this show is Joe Kent. The guest is Lance Owens. In 2017, Hawai’i adopted a law requiring that all of the state’s 88,000 cesspools be converted to septic, sewer or another wastewater disposal system by the year 2050. But cesspool conversation can be prohibitively expensive […]
Shining a Light on the Legislature (Hawaii Together)
Transparency Advocates Are Hopeful. The host for this show is Joe Kent. The guest is Brian Black. Corruption. Fraud. Bribery. These words and others now routinely make headlines in Hawaii. High-ranking public officials have been convicted of all sorts of criminal behaviors over the past decade. But why? And can anything be done about it? […]
The Burden of Occupational Licensing (Hawaii Together)
Reform Could Boost Freedom, Create Jobs. The host for this show is Joe Kent. The guest is Jessica Poitras. What do barbers, plumbers and athletic trainers all have in common? In Hawaii, they all need an occupational license to practice their trade. Unfortunately, these mandatory licenses often do far more harm than good. Jessica Poitas, […]
Why Hawaii Should Abolish Zoning (Hawaii Together)
New Book Addresses Important Questions. The host for this show is Joe Kent. The guest is Nolan Gray. Why do cities use zoning? Is it to protect people from noisy neighbors or maintain community character? Does zoning have any downsides? Nolan Gray, a former city planner and currently research director for California YIMBY answers these […]
Easing Housing Barriers on the Big Island (Hawaii Together)
Cut Red Tape for Permitting and Zoning. The host for this show is Joe Kent. The guest is Zendo Kern. Hawaii County has the most housing regulations of any county in the nation, and a frustratingly huge backlog of building permits to prove it. Host Keli‘i Akina talks with Zendo Kern, the county’s planning director, […]