A groundbreaking legal settlement in Hawaii, driven by 13 young climate activists, mandates the state’s Department of Transportation to achieve zero emissions across all transportation modes by 2045. The settlement emerged from the 2022 lawsuit, Navahine F v. Hawaii Department of Transportation, which argued that the state’s prioritization of fossil fuel-based transportation projects violated the constitutional rights of the plaintiffs to a clean and healthful environment. Hawaii Governor Josh Green lauded the activists for mobilizing the state toward aggressive climate action, emphasizing the importance of this legally binding commitment to transforming Hawaii’s transportation infrastructure.

The historic agreement will require Hawaii officials to devise a comprehensive roadmap to fully decarbonize ground, sea, and inter-island air transportation. The legal settlement is a significant win in the broader movement for Indigenous and youth-led climate activism, particularly as it integrates young people into advisory roles to ensure the state’s adherence to the zero-emissions target. This effort is part of a wider national push for food and climate sovereignty, with states like Montana achieving similar legal victories that underscore the constitutional right to a clean environment.

Despite Hawaii’s progressive climate policies, including goals to decarbonize its power sector by 2045 and make state vehicles carbon-free by 2035, recent years have seen setbacks in emissions reductions. The new settlement, however, is expected to catalyze substantial progress by holding the state accountable through judicial oversight until the zero-emission goals are met. The cooperative nature of this agreement, involving diverse stakeholders from government officials to young activists, exemplifies a unified approach necessary for addressing the climate crisis in Hawaii’s unique island context.

HONOLULU (KHON2) — Weeks after President Biden and former President Trump faced off in their first debate of the election season, more Democrats are calling on Biden to leave the race including three former Governors of Hawaii.

Democrats are questioning President Biden’s mental and physical stamina to lead the country for a second term following the first 2024 Presidential Debate. Democratic officials and organizations like Common Cause Hawaii, a nonprofit working to expand voting rights, have varying opinions on the matter.

“Getting lost in your thought, trailing off in your thought, that is something very common that has come to be expected of him,” stated Camron Hurt, Common Cause Hawaii Program Manager. “Why is this our candidate then? Is this the best that our democracy can produce?”

Governor Josh Green worked closely with the President during the Maui Wildfires back in August 2023. His outspoken support for President Biden is a much different opinion than his predecessors.

“It only took six hours for the President to approve our major disaster declaration,” said Governor Green. “Having that kind of open line of communication to President Biden and his team makes a difference. I’m appreciative of him as a friend.”

A letter asking for the withdrawal of President Biden by former Governors Neil Abercrombie, Ben Cayetano and John Waihee reads, “We witnessed and listened to a frail and seemingly muddled President Biden agonizingly take us to the brink of electoral wipeout.”

Read the full letter titled, ‘Doing the Right Thing,’ below:

According to the Democratic Party Chair, Derek Turbin, the President is unlike his poor performance during the Debate.

“Governor Green and I have had much more contact with the Biden campaign and, in fact, President Biden than these former governors,” said Turbin. “He was able to see a sharp, concise President Biden– a much different person than what I think a lot of people saw in the debate.”

Turbin added the opinion polls for Biden are much higher than people realize, especially after Biden beat Trump in crucial swing states, Michigan and Wisconsin.

Suppose President Biden were to step down before the convention. In that case, party leaders say another candidate would be reassigned during an open convention – Vice President Kamala Harris being the most ideal successor, according to Turbin.

“That would look like top leaders of the Democratic Party vying it out for a position on that ticket,” stated Hurt. “Democrats are strongly favoring wanting to put the Vice President, Kamala Harris, at the top of the ticket. Anybody else would make the situation that’s already a bit messy, more messy.”

For the second time in his career, Hawaii’s Kirby Yates is headed to Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game.

The Rangers closer was named to the American League roster, marking as the first time that he has been selected to the Mid-Summer Classic since 2019 when he was with the Padres.

In 2024, the Kauai native is 13-for-13 on save chances, having struck out 43 batters in 31.1 innings, with a dominant 0.86 ERA.

Yates, who led the league in saves with 41 in 2019 while in San Diego has bounced back from injury plagued seasons since then. He underwent two different surgeries since that All-Star season having spent time in Toronto and Atlanta prior to this season.

Yates, is now just the third Hawaii born player to ever be selected to multiple MLB All-Star games, joining Sid Fernandez and Shane Victorino who were both named to two ASG’s in their career.

The 2024 MLB All-Star Game is set for Tuesday, July 16 at 2:00 pm HST on KHON2.