- Grassroot Institute
The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii is a
501(c)(3) non-profit corporation engaging in issues research and education of voters and political representatives. The Institute is based inHonolulu . It was founded in2000 by Richard O. Rowland, its currentCEO and a former Army colonel and life insurance salesman; and Malia Zimmerman, currently a member of the board, NRA-affiliated gun advocate [www.saf.org/2007.grpc.agenda.pdf] [http://www.ccrkba.org/pub/rkba/press-releases/agenda.grpc.htm] and editor and publisher of the HawaiiReporter.com.The Grassroot Institute has received criticism in Hawai'i for its "extreme" advocacy of "far-right" issues, particularly in opposition to Hawaiian Sovereignty, and for its alliance with right-wing "think tanks" that are known for their stances against
affirmative action and against other "minority rights" issues [http://www.oha.org/index.php?Itemid=225&id=188&option=com_content&task=view] [http://www.angelfire.com/planet/bigfiles40/GRIH060807.html]After several years of focusing mainly on personal liberties, tax hikes, and government regulations the Grassroot Institute hired
Bruce Fein , a constitutional lawyer inWashington, DC , as a consultant in an effort to educate decision makers regarding the consideration of the Akaka Bill. The bill would allow Native Hawaiians of set blood quantums to set up an entity comparable to recognized Native American tribal entities. The bill failed to achieve cloture in June2006 .Funding of the Institute's educational activities is supplied by donor/members. In addition, the "
think tank " Institute applies for grants and does research for organizations onHawaii State matters.References
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