Celebrate two anniversaries this year

by Keli'i Akina, Ph.D., Grassroot Institute, June 22, 2026

This is a year of celebration — both for our country and the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii.  

Almost 250 years ago, on July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress approved the Declaration of Independence. That revolutionary document gave birth to the United States of America, and has shaped hearts and minds around the world ever since.

As for the Grassroot Institute, we are celebrating 25 years of standing up for the principles of individual liberty, economic freedom and limited, accountable government that our country’s founders held so dear.

Today, I want to invite you to join us in marking this momentous milestone at our 25th Anniversary Gala, which is set for Friday, Sept. 4, at the Sheraton Waikiki.

I also want to share with you a few details about the celebration we have planned to recognize our successes and announce our exciting plans for the future.

The theme of the evening is The Freedom to Thrive, and we are bringing together Grassroot’s friends from around the islands and the country to enjoy a fabulous meal, open bar and lively entertainment.

We are also thrilled that comedian, podcast host and New York Times bestselling author Adam Carolla will be our keynote speaker.

Adam lost his home in California’s 2025 Palisades wildfire and has become an outspoken advocate for the freedom to rebuild, just as Grassroot remains focused on making it easier for our Maui ohana to recover from the devastating Lahaina wildfires of 2023.

He rose to national prominence co-hosting the syndicated radio program “Loveline” and co-creating “The Man Show” with Jimmy Kimmel before launching “The Adam Carolla Show” podcast, which earned a Guinness World Record for most downloads and remains one of the most popular daily podcasts in the country.

I promise you: This will be a night to remember.

And, in a nod to the year that started it all for our great nation, I want to extend to you a special offer.

Now through July 6, Grassroot welcomes you to attend our anniversary gala at a discounted rate: $17.76 off each individual ticket, regularly priced at $200. Or you can save $250 off a table for eight, regularly priced at $2,000.

Individual tickets and tables can be purchased here. Use code 4JULY1776 to save on individual seats and code 4JULY250 to save on tables. Neither code has a limit to how many times it can be used.

I hope you join us to celebrate our founding principles while looking forward to many more thriving years to come.

As Grassroot founder Richard “Dick” Rowland often said, “Upward!”