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 (HawaiiNewsNow) – As the debate over when and where to build Oahu’s next landfill continues, some are working toward phasing them out altogether.
Re-Use Hawaii is a local nonprofit organization that promotes sustainability and hopes to foster a circular economy through material reuse.
“The City & County of Honolulu announced plans for a new landfill, and this decision will shape Hawaii’s future in waste diversion and sustainability and directly affect our communities. At Re-Use Hawaii, we believe in less waste, more reuse,” said Executive Director Quinn Vittum.
The organization works to salvage reusable materials and return them to the community, and it’s the only licensed contractor in Hawaii providing deconstruction services.
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“We aim to reduce waste by salvaging reusable materials, providing affordable resources to the community, and supporting green workforce development,” added Vittum.
Recently, Re-Use Hawaii opened a new location at Stadium Marketplace (4561 Salt Lake Boulevard) which was formerly Sack n Save, Castle Park.
“Our new location is three times larger than the previous warehouse in Kakaako, which operated for 18 years,” said Vittum. “It took approximately 260 truckloads to complete the relocation.”
A grand opening ceremony is slated for March 1.
Re-Use Hawaii plans to host sustainable businesses and other community groups that align with their mission.
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In the meantime, the public is invited to come check out the new space Wednesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The nonprofit said it’s planning to open seven days a week sometime in February.
To learn more, click here.
Copyright 2025 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.
Kainoa Wade delivered the decisive blow in his Hawaii debut, putting away his eighth kill in 15 swings without an error on match point to deliver a 25-18, 25-17, 25-20 win for the fourth-ranked Rainbow Warriors over Harvard tonight.
A SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center crowd of 3,674 gave Wade a loud ovation when he entered a match for the first time to start the second set.
He had three kills in the second set and then put down five more in the final set for Hawaii (3-0), which has won eight consecutive sets.
Adrien Roure put down a team-high nine kills and 13 different players saw the court for UH, which plays the Crimson (0-1) again on Friday.
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Freshman middle Ofeck Hazan added six kills and six blocks and hit .600 for UH, which finished the match hitting .400.
Sophomore setter Tread Rosenthal had a match-high 33 assists, six digs, five blocks and one of five Hawaii aces.
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A high-surf warning issued in parts of Hawaii advises potential beachgoers to avoid the shore, as waves stretching up to 40 feet pound the Aloha State.
Why It Matters
Large breaking waves could cause damage in infrastructure near certain shores in Hawaii this week, with the high-surf warning remaining in effect until 6 p.m. Thursday. Swimmers and beachgoers also could be at risk of injury, as the surf hit 40 feet in some places.
What To Know
The National Weather Service (NWS) office in Honolulu first issued the high-surf warning on Friday, with the alert saying an “extra-large” swell was expected to peak on Wednesday, which would produce “dangerously large surf” on north- and west-facing shores.
A potent wintertime surf is pictured on the north shore of Oahu, Hawaii, as a high-surf warning is in effect for portions of the Aloha State. A potent wintertime surf is pictured on the north shore of Oahu, Hawaii, as a high-surf warning is in effect for portions of the Aloha State. ruthannburke/Getty
Affected beaches include north- and west-facing shores of Niihau, Kauai, Oahu and Molokai, as well as north-facing coasts in Maui. The surf was highest, up to 40 feet, on north-facing shores, and waves up to 30 feet were expected for those facing west.
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The swell is expected to gradually diminish on Thursday and Friday.
Average surf for this time of year is 12 to 16 feet. The dangerous waves are often caused by long-period large swells generated by a storm system near Alaska.
A small craft advisory is also in place, warning inexperienced mariners, especially those operating small vessels, against navigating the waters, as seas were expected to be hazardous.
What People Are Saying
NWS meteorologist Genki Kino told Newsweek: “We have just been really active in the north Pacific with a series of storms off to the northwest. We get into these active patterns with back-to-back swells. January is on average our biggest time of year [for waves] on the north shores.”
While discussing 40-foot waves, NWS meteorologist Tina Stall previously told Newsweek: “Those waves are nothing to mess around with. If they’re high enough, we can also get some overwash up the beaches and onto the roadways if they’re nearby.”
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Stall previously told Newsweek: “[High surf] is pretty typical for this time of year. We are getting into the winter season, which is north shore season. So we get a lot of swells out of the northwest from storm systems up in the north Pacific.”
NWS Honolulu, in a high-surf warning: “Expect ocean water surging and sweeping across beaches, coastal benches, and lava flows creating the potential for impacts to coastal properties and infrastructure, including roadways. Powerful longshore and rip currents will be present at most beaches. Large breaking waves and strong currents may impact harbor entrances and channels causing challenging boat handling.”
The warning added: “Stay away from the shoreline along the affected coasts. Be prepared for road closures. Postpone entering or leaving channels affected by the high surf until the surf subsides.”
What Happens Next
The surf is expected to drop below warning levels by Friday.
