 |
| Youth advocates sued the state over transportation emissions harming the environment and their cultural practices. They settled the case this week. Photo from the Governor's Office |
GOV. JOSH GREEN LAUDED YOUTH ADVOCATES FOR CLIMATE RESPONSIBILITY on Thursday, during the announcement of the settlement of their lawsuit against the state Department of Transportation for emissions that pollute the environment. The announcement said the Navahine v. Hawai'i Department of Transportation constitutional climate case is the world's first youth-led case seeking to address transportation emissions. It was filed by youth ages nine to 19 in 2022 in First Circuit Court. Judge John Tonaki of the Hawai'i State Environmental Court accepted the settlement on Thursday morning.
Earth Justice and Children’s Trust noted that transportation ranks as the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Hawai'i, and in the United States.
 |
| State Environmental Judge John Tonaki accepted the settlement between youth plaintiffs and state. |
"The passion demonstrated by these young people in advocating for a healthy, sustainable future for their generation and those to come, is laudable," said the Governor. "This settlement informs how we as a state can best move forward to achieve life-sustaining goals and further, we can surely expect to see these and other youth in Hawai'i continue to step up to build the type of future they desire."
Thirteen youth from across the Hawaiian Islands brought the case in June 2022, asserting their rights to a safe and healthy climate and asking the Hawai'i state government to take action to meet the climate emergency and enable Hawaii's paradigm shift to a climate-safe, zero-emissions transportation system.
Navahine is also the first settlement agreement in which state government departments and agencies have agreed to work with youth plaintiffs to address concerns regarding constitutional issues arising from climate change, and commit to implementing specific plans and programs designed to decarbonize a state transportation system and reduce greenhouse gas pollution and fossil fuel dependence.
The statement from the Governor says that the agreement reaffirms Hawa Hawai'i’s commitment to move from a fossil fuel dependent transportation system to a cleaner, safer system with more electric vehicles and more options for walking, cycling, and public transit. "The agreement offers an exemplary
 |
Several of the youth plaintiffs' families grow kalo on Hawai'i Island. Photo by Elyse Butler for Earth Justice |
Establishing a Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan within one year of the agreement, laying the foundation and roadmap to decarbonize Hawaiʻi's transportation system within the next 20 years.
Creating a lead unit and responsible positions within HDOT to coordinate the mission of GHG reduction throughout the agency; oversee climate change mitigation and adaptation for the highways program;
 |
Plaintiff Kawena K was nine when the suit was filed. Her family grows kalo, sweet potato, ginger, ʻōlena (turmeric). Photo by Elyse Butler for Earth Justice |
Establishing a volunteer youth council to advise on HDOT mitigation and adaptation commitments in the years to come.
Improving the state transportation infrastructure budgeting process to prioritize reduction of GHG and vehicles miles traveled (VMT) and transparently analyze and disclose the GHG and VMT impacts of each project and the overall program.
Making immediate, ambitious investments in clean transportation infrastructure, including completing the pedestrian, bicycle, and transit networks in five years, and dedicating a minimum of $40 million to expanding the public electric vehicle charging network by 2030.We will continue to keep you updated as the Green administration takes further action to reduce carbon emissions in Hawai'i, combat climate change, and protect the environment.
Children have successfully filed climate change cases in Germany and Montana. A suit involving all of the European nations was dismissed. The verdict in a case in South Korea is expected this year.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. Support this news service with advertising at kaunews.com. 7,500 copies in the mail and on stands.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. Support this news service with advertising at kaunews.com. 7,500 copies in the mail and on stands.
HAWAI'I POLICE DEPARTMENT'S BACKPACK DRIVE is open now through July 19. The
Backpacks are the most requested non-food item by charities in Hawaiʻi. The donated backpacks will be distributed to children at women’s shelters, homeless shelters, and transitional housing facilities around the island.
Since 2008, HPD has teamed up with Hope Services Hawaiʻi to collect school backpacks for children who cannot afford them. Last year more than 700 backpacks were collected throughout the island’s police stations and distributed by Hope Services. "Your contribution to help a child in need is greatly appreciated," says the HPD statement.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. Support this news service with advertising at kaunews.com. 7,500 copies in the mail and on stands.
 |
| Kaʻū Little League Majors beat North Hawai'i on Friday, winning the first district game for Kaʻū in some 20 years. Photo from Kaʻū Little League |
KAʻŪ LITTLE LEAGUE REPORTS MAKING HISTORY ON FRIDAY. "Our Majors team won their first district game in çlose to 20 years! It was a great game!"
Kaʻū Majors beat North Hawai'i in the bottom of the 6th inning. They won 7-6. They play Hilo
Saturday at 10 a.m. at Pualani Park.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. Support this news service with advertising at kaunews.com. 7,500 copies in the mail and on stands.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.heic)