Hi friends,

HUGE NEWS: The 14 youth plaintiffs in Navahine F. v. Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation have won in court and are headed to trial!

Trial dates are set and will begin September 26, 2023 - THIS YEAR!

This will be the WORLD’S FIRST EVER climate trial of a state transportation system!

Navahine F. v. Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation youth plaintiffs, January 2023 (Photo by Robin Loznak)

“These 14 youth are making history. For the first time ever on our planet, these young people in Hawaiʻi are holding their state transportation department accountable for its actions that worsen the climate crisis and violate the youth’s constitutional rights. Trial in Navahine F. v. Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation is a huge step toward achieving climate justice for these 14 young climate leaders and all young people across the Islands as well as advancing protection of the rights of children and youth in other jurisdictions across the U.S. and around the globe.”

- Andrea Rodgers, Senior Litigation Attorney, Our Children’s Trust and co-counsel for the youth plaintiffs

“Plaintiffs allege nothing less than that they stand to inherit a world with severe climate change and the resulting damage to our natural resources.” “Since Defendants essentially argue Hawaiʻi law does not require them to take action now, it appears a declaratory judgment action will help resolve the parties’ different views of what the Legislature and the Constitution require.”

- Honorable Judge Jeffrey P. Crabtree, April 6, 2023 Ruling

 “I and my fellow plaintiffs are holding this so-called state of Hawaiʻi to its own promises and its own laws because we have a fundamental right to a safe climate. We will not allow our public trust resources to be further desecrated by state agencies working to make the climate crisis worse for all of us.”

- Navahine F., lead youth plaintiff and a tenth generation taro farmer

Achieving Climate Justice in Hawaiʻi, Together

Our Children's Trust represents a new generation in court. With your support we shine a light on how governments, like the State of Hawaiʻi, contribute to the climate crisis and we will hold them accountable to protect the constitutional rights of youth.

Join us this year. Together, we will achieve climate justice. Together, we will win.

The Team at Our Children’s Trust