Federal shutdown sidelines Schatz; Evslin steps up for housing event

U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz will still make an appearance via a brief video; everybody else will carry on as originally planned

from Grassroot Institute, -- UPDATED Oct 11, 2025

In a unique collaboration, the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii has teamed up with Hawaiʻi Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice to host a discussion on housing, titled “Building common ground: Expanding housing in Hawaii,” that will feature remarks from Hawaii U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz and a presentation from state Rep. Luke Evslin.

Rep. Evslin of Kauai, who is chair of the state Legislature’s House Committee on Housing, and Sen. Schatz have both become champions for policies that could facilitate more homebuilding to help mitigate Hawaii’s acute housing crisis.

At the national level, Sen. Schatz has introduced several bipartisan bills in Congress aimed at inducing more homebuilding. He had planned to attend the event on Oahu in person; however, due to obligations related to the ongoing federal government shutdown, he will instead submit pre-recorded comments via video.

This special event will take place this coming Wednesday, Oct. 15, from noon to 1 p.m. at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaiʻi in Honolulu. Admission is $30, which will include lunch and parking. Doors will open at 11:30 a.m.

Grassroot President Keliʻi Akina and Hawaiʻi Appleseed Executive Director Will White will co-moderate the event.

In addition to comments from Evslin and Schatz, the program will feature presentations from Grassroot’s director of strategic campaigns, Ted Kefalas, and Hawaiʻi Appleseed’s director of research and housing policy, Arjuna Heim.

Kefalas will discuss how to reform regulations that restrict housing development on agricultural land. Heim will present research and recommendations related to inclusionary zoning.

There will also be a moderated discussion and time for audience members to ask questions.

To reserve seating or for more information, please call Sean Mitsui of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii at 808-864-1776, or email info@grassrootinstitute.org.

>>>  REGISTER HERE  <<<