According to the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, “… the Aloha State’s pitiful lack of affordable housing is due to state and county regulations that hinder or even prevent more homebuilding.”

Maui residents can learn why Hawaii has the most expensive median home prices in the nation — and what we can do about it — at a luncheon gathering this month sponsored by the institute.

The event on Thursday, June 16, at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center in Kahului will feature Jason Economou, director of government affairs at the Realtors Association of Maui, and Keli’i Akina, Grassroot Institute president and CEO.

The presentation will focus on why Hawaii housing is so expensive. The experts say it’s not “empty homes,” short-term rentals or “outside investors.”

Attend the discussion and “find out more about which regulations in particular have stymied Hawaii’s housing supply, inducing so many of our family, friends and neighbors to move to the mainland in search of homes they can afford,” the institute noted.

The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii is a nonpartisan, nonprofit research and educational institution dedicated to promoting individual liberty, economic freedom and limited, accountable government.

Its goal is to improve the quality of life in Hawaii by lowering the cost of living and expanding opportunities for all.

Doors open at 11:30 a.m., and the luncheon begins at noon. Admission is just $10, available by entering “How to make housing more affordable in Maui” at Eventbrite.

For more information, call Sean Mitsui at (808) 864-1776 or e-mail info@grassrootinstitute.org.