Hundred years

The Merchant Marine Act of 1920 still stands as the worst piece of federal legislation that has negatively impacted Hawaii’s economy, let alone to the detriment of the US economy as a whole. The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii can regularly be relied on to point out the need for reform of the hundred year-old, outdated Jones Act.

Jones Act beneficiaries schizophrenic about China | Grassroot Institute of Hawaii

Some federal legislation intended to help Hawaii are poorly executed. The Hawaiian Homestead Act of 1922 was intended to return 203,000 acres to the Native Hawaiian people. Now a hundred years later, 28,000 Native Hawaiians are still on the waiting list while only 9,800 homesteads have been granted to beneficiaries. Rep Gene Ward has been a champion of this cause in his documentary, Broken Promises.

DHHL: BROKEN PROMISES | Rep. Gene Ward (gene-ward.com)

When Prince Kuhio went to Washington, he quickly learned the importance of bringing federal funds to local governments. He helped create the City and County system to bring government closer to the people.

One hundred years later, the City and County of Honolulu has outgrown that model. Not only has the population grown more than five times in size, but the talents and capabilities of the population has matured and expanded. Kristin Downey of Civil Beat documented the history and politics behind this 100 year old structure. It’s time to modernize and reform it and bring government closer to the people.

Local Government Was No Sure Thing In Hawaii – Until Prince Kuhio Got Involved – Honolulu Civil Beat