Hawai‘i Youth-Led Constitutional Climate Case Makes History
August 1, 2024
Thirteen young people across Hawai‘i made history on June 20, 2024, when they announced a historic Settlement Agreement in their constitutional climate lawsuit Navahine v. Hawai‘i Department of Transportation.
The Settlement Agreement with Hawai‘i Governor Josh Green and HDOT Director Ed Sniffen recognizes children’s constitutional rights to a life-sustaining climate, and mobilizes HDOT to plan and implement transformative changes to Hawai‘i’s ground, sea, and interisland air transportation system to achieve the state’s legally established goal of zero emissions by 2045.
On June 20th, the parties shared the news at a joint press conference from Governer Green’s office, where youth plaintiffs shared their thoughts on the historic moment, and hopes for the future of their home state. Below are speeches by youth plaintiffs Rylee Brooke and Pahonu.
Navahine youth plaintiff Rylee Brooke giving her speech at the joint press conference on June 21, 2024, at Governor Green’s office.
Aloha, my name is Rylee Brooke Kamahele, I am 16 years old, and I am one of the youth plaintiffs.
At the age of 8, I founded a nonprofit organization to empower children and inspire the next generation to be leaders. For the past eight years, I have been dedicated to advocating for change, through the legislative process and bill writing.
My deep connection to the 'aina and my desire to protect the future for keiki fuels my passion for this work. Guided by what I feel is a very important indigenous principle.
I believe it’s crucial to consider the next seven generations when making decisions. This commitment has been the driving force for my involvement in this case.
Guided by the best available science and the ike of our kupuna, all of us – Governor Green, Director Sniffen, the legislature, the courts, and all of us climate advocates – are working together to decarbonize our transportation system and save our future.
Today is a victory for us, the state, and every young person who believes in the power of their voice. Today is a testament to what can be achieved when we stand together with purpose and conviction to hold our governments to their promises for our planet.
Let this be a reminder to all youth:
Your passion, your advocacy, and your persistence can shape the world we live in. Let's continue to speak up, to take action, and to strive for a future where sustainability and justice prevail.
Mahalo nui to everyone who supported us on this journey—our families, our legal team, our community.
Navahine youth plaintiff Pahonu giving her speech at the joint press conference on June 21, 2024, at Governor Green’s office.
E aheahe mai nei ka makani Alopali, palioali o Kamehame, mehameha ka leo o ke ku’upee o ko’onapou, pou ohi’a o na hale mauna o ke ko’olau i hoa ‘ai ‘ia e lanipo, aloha. O wau no o Japheth Pahonu Coleman. I am humbly honored to celebrate this historic agreement with all you here today.
This victory we are celebrating is a testament to all who had the courage to step out and take a stand on both sides of this case. Because we, the youth in this case, had the courage to speak up and because government officials, like Director Sniffen, had the courage to sit down and listen, we are here today with an actionable and enforceable agreement that puts Hawaiʻi’s transportation system on the fast-track to advance key climate solutions, like electrifying and expanding our full network of clean transportation choices.
Courage is what got us here. We don’t speak enough about the role of courage in our culture. Our elders had immense courage to set out across the ocean to come here.
Our elders like Papa Mau, took immense risk to perpetuate our voyaging traditions that endure to this day. Without the courage of George Helm, Walter Ritte and many others, the sacred island of Kahoʻolawe would still be a bombing range.
No ke aloha ʻāina a me nā kānaka, ma ke ʻano hoʻokahi.
This moment is certainly historic, but it is also a reminder of how far we’ve come and how much farther we still must go.
The canoes from throughout the Pacific just gathered at Kualoa for the 2024 Festival of Pacific Arts, and with them came the dreams of our vast moana for a real commitment to countering climate change in every possible way. Over the next 20 years, each and every one of us must make a tremendous effort to reduce emissions and educate our peers and others. This is how we follow through with the commitments that make today’s agreement a real and lasting victory for all of us in Hawaiʻi nei.