Suing to Reach Zero: Navahine v. Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation

In a world first, thirteen youth plaintiffs settled an historic constitutional climate case with the state of Hawaiʻi. The plaintiffs provided evidence that the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation was not on track to reach Hawaiʻi’s greenhouse gas reduction goals and was therefore in violation of the state’s constitution, which ensures the rights of a life-sustaining future for its people. As part of the settlement, the government agencies all agreed to work with the plaintiffs to reach those goals by 2045.

Students engage with this case study of successful civic engagement and learn about state legislation, the legal process, and climate justice. Interviews with the plaintiffs introduce students to Hawaiian cultural connections to land and youth voices. Further learning materials cover additional context about the historic settlement, which includes the formation of a new Youth Climate Council within the Hawaiian government.

Further engagement activities ask students to reflect upon their connections to land and sea, and also provide the class with a chance to role play as members of a Youth Climate Council and as elected officials to debate climate legislation and solutions in their state.