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Grassroot Institute
| Grassroot Institute | |
 | |
| Basic facts | |
| Location: | Honolulu, Hawaii |
| Type: | 501(c)(3) |
| Top official: | Keliʻi Akina, President and CEO |
| Founder(s): | Richard Rowland |
| Year founded: | 2001 |
| Website: | Official website |
The Grassroot Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Honolulu, Hawaii that, according to its website, "seeks to educate people about the principles of individual liberty, economic freedom and limited, accountable government."[1] According to the institute's website, since its founding in 2001, the institute "has helped shape policy debate in Hawaii by providing practical, best-practices research aimed at lowering the cost of living, expanding opportunities and fostering prosperity for all."[1]
Background
The Grassroot Institute was founded in 2001 by Richard Rowland.[1] According to the institute's website, Rowland founded the institute "to educate isle residents about individual liberty, the free market and limited government."[2] According to the Grassroot Institute's website, it "promotes action through practical change. In the spirit of 'E hana kākou' ('Let’s work together'), it strives to bring Hawaii’s people together to work for a better economy, better governance and a better society."[1] In describing its work, the Grassroot Institute's website states that "Through the publication of accurate and timely research and commentaries, as well as by organizing events, conferences and seminars, the institute informs Hawaii’s policymakers, news media and general public about key public policy issues."[1]
Leadership
As of September 2025, the following individuals held leadership positions at the Grassroot Institute:[3]
- Keliʻi Akina, President and CEO
- Joe Kent, Executive Vice President
- Sean Mitsui, Finance Director
- Malia Blom Hill, Policy Director
- Mark Coleman, Managing Editor and Communications Director
- Ted Kefalas, Director of Strategic Campaigns
- Jonathan Helton, Policy Analyst
- Brenner Danielson, Marketing associate
- Melissa Rabideau, Executive Assistant to the Executive Vice President
- David Swann, Cartoonist and Illustrator
- Sarah Zoellick, Copy Editor and Writer
As of September 2025, the Grassroot Institute's Board of Directors included the following individuals:[4]
- Robin Stueber, Chair
- Jonathan Durrett, Vice Chair
- Keliʻi Akina, President and CEO
- Eddy Kemp, Treasurer
- Mark Monoscalco, Secretary
- Robert W. Hastings II, Board Member
- Fred Noa, Board Member
- Lawson Bader, Board Member
Work and activities
Jones Act
One policy area that the Grassroot Institute has focused on is the Jones Act or Merchant Marine Act of 1920. The act mandates that all goods shipped between U.S. ports be transported in U.S.-built, U.S.-owned, and U.S.-manned ships. The institute's website states, "It is well known that the act adds to Hawaii's high cost of living, but what had been lacking — until now — were figures of just how much."[5] The institute's resources regarding the act include information on how the act affects automobile expenses, engineering, families, financial services, housing and real estate, and retail.[5]
Notable endorsements
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Affiliations
As of September 2025, the Grassroot Institute is an affiliate of the State Policy Network.[6] According to the State Policy Network's website it seeks to "catalyze thriving, durable freedom movements in every state, anchored with high-performing independent think tanks."[7]
Finances
The following is a breakdown of the Grassroot Institute's revenues and expenses from 2011 to 2023. The information comes from ProPublica
| Year | Revenue | Expenses |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $1.65 million | $1.72 million |
| 2022 | $1.75 million | $1.41 million |
| 2021 | $1.22 million | $1.01 million |
| 2020 | $726,854 | $737,234 |
| 2019 | $708,563 | $652,026 |
| 2018 | $716,463 | $620,694 |
| 2017 | $684,904 | $601,897 |
| 2016 | $515,849 | $511,018 |
| 2015 | $463,184 | $470,188 |
| 2014 | $379,955 | $371,109 |
| 2013 | $319,899 | $321,725 |
| 2012 | $164,115 | $180,789 |
| 2011 | $189,566 | $394,440 |
See also
External links
- Search Google News for this topic
- Grassroot Institute official website
- Grassroot Institute on Facebook
- Grassroot Institute on X
- Grassroot Institute on YouTube
- Grassroot Institute on Instagram
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Grassroot Institute, "Who we are," accessed September 20, 2025
- ↑ Grassroot Institute, "Dick Rowland, founder and chairman emeritus of Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, dies at age 90," November 29, 2020
- ↑ Grassroot Institute, "Our Team," accessed September 20, 2025
- ↑ Grassroot Institute, "Board of Directors," accessed September 20, 2025
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Grassroot Institute, "The Jones Act and Hawaii," accessed September 21, 2025
- ↑ State Policy Center, "2024 State Policy Network Annual Report," accessed September 5, 2025
- ↑ State Policy Network, "About," accessed September 4, 2025
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