When licensing goes too far

by Keli'i Akina, Ph.D., President / CEO, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii

I always enjoy the opportunity to close out the year’s legislative session talking with the people that we at the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii are really working for — the men and women who are trying to live, work and flourish in Hawaii.

It’s a great reminder that the bills we support or oppose have a real effect on people’s lives.

So it was gratifying during Grassroot’s annual legislative wrap-up visits on Maui, Hawaii Island and Oahu over the past 10 days to talk with Hawaii taxpayers about our successful campaign to preserve almost all of their historic 2024 state income tax cuts that the governor and legislator had threatened to walk back.

I also had the opportunity to meet with people who will have an easier time building or renovating homes because of our work on permitting, inclusionary zoning and historic review.

Best of all, I had the opportunity to meet Kaiulani Flores, who is a fantastic example of why we must make it easier for people in Hawaii to earn a living.

Prior to the most recent legislative session, Kaiulani had wanted to open a small hair braiding business, but state law required that she obtain an expensive and time-consuming hairdressing license from the state Board of Cosmetology.

Specifically, to merely braid hair, Kaiulani was supposed to first spend at least $17,000 and undergo at least 1,250 hours of training.

But even the Board of Cosmetology acknowledged that the license wasn’t relevant to hair braiding. So Grassroot took up the banner and with other concerned groups and individuals ultimately helped make it possible for hair braiders to openly practice their craft in Hawaii.

All hair braiders in Hawaii need to do now is go through a simple and inexpensive registration process.

On behalf of Grassroot, I want to thank everyone who helped us pass this seemingly small regulatory change. It might not seem important to most people, but for budding entrepreneurs such as Kaiulani, it mattered a lot.

It also helped remind us what our mission is all about. Freedom isn’t just an abstract value. It is what makes it possible for each of us as individuals to live the lives we choose and do the things we love.

I am happy that Grassroot could do its part during the 2026 legislative session to expand freedom for Kaiulani, taxpayers, homebuilders, homeowners and all other Hawaii residents.

E hana kākou! (Lets work together!)