Hawaiʻi Youth Achieve Climate Justice Victory — Impact Fund

The settlement agreement also contains immediate commitments from the State, including dedicating funding to electric vehicle charging infrastructure; completing the bicycle, pedestrian, and transit networks within five years; and developing criteria for evaluating, selecting, and prioritizing projects that align with GHG reduction goals.

The agreement additionally creates the Hawaiʻi Transportation Youth Council, which provides an opportunity for representative youth from across the islands to provide input to HDOT on its planning and programming, giving youth an important voice in the transition to clean transportation across Hawaiʻi. The court will retain jurisdiction over the settlement until the zero emissions goal is achieved, or 2045, whichever happens first.  

Mesina’s Story

Below is an account from one plaintiff, Mesina, who grew up in Kailua, Oahu, and was 15 at the time Navahine v. HDOT was filed. She describes what it is like to be a youth aware of the climate crisis, why she is involved with the lawsuit, and how it felt to settle her case.

Being a plaintiff in the Navahine v. HDOT case has perhaps been one of the most beautiful and meaningful opportunities of my life. That being said, I think becoming a plaintiff in a climate lawsuit at age 15 was a decision made for me by circumstance. When I first learned about climate change as a child, all I remember is being utterly confused. The facts were as such: burning fossil fuels are bringing the downfall of human civilization, and humans are still burning fossil fuels. In my young mind, this could only mean that no one was trying to do anything about it. “I guess I should do something then since no one else seems to be paying attention,” I thought.  

But boy, how wrong was I? As soon as I began to express myself on this issue, I discovered that there were thousands of people working tirelessly day in and day out to stop the burning of fossil fuels. It became apparent that it was not a lack of shouting voices for change on any person’s part, but rather a lack of people in real positions of power to listen to these voices in any distinctly impactful way.  

I, along with other people in the community, rallied, testified, made speeches to thousands of people holding inspiring signs, spoke to government officials, and sent letters to the president; all to be met with pats on the back and an array of adults saying how great these endeavors would look on my resume. I was beginning to think that there were no adults out there who could help us change.  

That is, until I heard about Our Children’s Trust. I had spoken at a rally for their federal case, Juliana v. United States, and was aware of the work they were doing, so when I heard I could be part of a case in Hawaiʻi, it was only natural for me to get involved. Being a plaintiff in Navahine v. HDOT was the first time someone genuinely gave me a voice that could create real change. Our incredible attorneys put me in front of people who had a say in the ways that our systems were run, and made those people hear me and my fellow plaintiffs out.  

To be a teenager who is fighting for a livable future is not something I want to be doing. While some adults will try to assuage their own guilt for lack of action on their part by labeling my activism endeavors as a “hobby”; this is not something I would like to be doing. It’s not my idea of an ideal childhood to have to beg your public officials to stop destroying your atmosphere, let alone your life. What I do feel is that these actions are my responsibility, and the way I show respect to the earth I inhabit. 

With that responsibility, I could not think of an organization I would rather be involved with. Through Navahine v. HDOT, I have sat at the table with government officials. I have seen their signatures at the bottom of documents promising to decarbonize transportation by 2045 and I know that we have the full support of the court over the next 20 years to see our settlement though. That is why I am in this case. I get to work with amazing people doing the work I have always wanted to get done but never had the ability to. We have been given a real voice to create real change, and for that, I will be forever grateful. 

As It Stands Today

The plaintiffs and their advocates are now working closely with HDOT to ensure effective implementation of the settlement agreement, with the inaugural meeting of the Hawaiʻi Transportation Youth Council having occurred in January 2025, and a draft of the GHG Reduction Plan expected in the spring of 2025.  

These brave youth in Hawaiʻi set out to have their voices heard and their fundamental rights protected, and ended up achieving so much more. Their settlement with the State will inevitably pave the way for other governments around the world to see that working with youth, not against them, can lead to remarkable results. The settlement will also hopefully inspire other youth that change is possible through leadership. There is hope, and a recognition that climate rights can be achieved, one case, one settlement, one step at a time.