In June 2024, the Hawai‘i Department of Transportation (HDOT) reached a landmark settlement in the lawsuit, Navahine F. v HDOT. This is the first youth-led climate case in the nation in which the plaintiffs and defendants reached agreement.
After a year of collaboration and negotiations, HDOT has just published the draft Energy Security & Waste Reduction Plan. The pillars of the plan are island energy security, affordability for kamaʻāina and emissions reduction. A sampling of strategies in the plan includes incentives for electric vehicles and cleaner fuels; the build out within five years of significant pedestrian, bicycle and transit projects so that people can chose transportation options other than single passenger vehicles, and immediate investment in carbon sequestration efforts such as native reforestation.
The Draft Energy Security & Waste Reduction Plan and an online comment form is available at: https://highways.hidot.hawaii.gov/stories/s/h9gp-xxmt In mid- to late-July, HDOT will host a series of public presentations via videoconference. These public presentations will provide an opportunity for the public to learn more about the plan, ask questions and provide feedback. Dates and registration information for the public presentations will be available on HDOT’s website in early July.The plan will be updated annually to reflect new data, technology and community feedback.
If you have any questions or need additional information, please email Advocacy Director Eduardo Hernandez