U.S. Sen. Schatz to be featured speaker at Grassroot, Appleseed housing forum

The Oct. 15 event will focus on research and practical reforms aimed at addressing Hawaii's acute need for more housing

News Release from Grassroot Institute, Sept 24, 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 housing seminar that will feature remarks from Hawaii U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz.

Sen. Schatz has become a champion for practical housing reform, and has even introduced several bipartisan bills in Congress aimed at inducing more homebuilding.

This special event will take place 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 Appleseed Executive Director Will White will co-moderate the event, which will highlight practical ways to expand homebuilding opportunities in Hawaii and help alleviate the state’s longrunning housing crisis.

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

Kefalas will discuss how to reform regulations that restrict housing development on agricultural land, while 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.

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