Kylie Wager Cruz

Senior Attorney Mid-Pacific Office

kylie-wager-800

Media Inquiries

Miranda Fox
Public Affairs and Communications Strategist
mfox@earthjustice.org

Bar Admissions

HI

Kylie Wager Cruz is a senior attorney with the Mid-Pacific regional office in Honolulu, HI.

Kylie has had the privilege of representing community groups in proceedings to promote clean energy and clean water, end the use of fossil fuels, protect Native Hawaiian communities disproportionately burdened by pesticide exposure, safeguard Hawai‘i’s native and threatened wildlife, and restore streamflows.

Prior to joining Earthjustice, Kylie served as a law clerk for the Honorable Mark E. Recktenwald, Chief Justice of the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court. She was also a legal fellow at the Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources — Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement and legal intern at the Hawaiʻi Public Utilities Commission. During law school, Kylie worked as a summer law clerk for the Earthjustice Mid-Pacific regional office and as an extern for the Honorable Richard R. Clifton, circuit judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. She has held several research positions focusing on renewable energy, energy efficiency, and climate adaptation law and policy.

Kylie is a proud graduate of the William S. Richardson School of Law and received undergraduate degrees in English and Journalism from Boston University. She enjoys spending time with her family in the ocean and exploring wild places.

The Latest from Kylie Wager Cruz

January 2, 2024

In the News: E&E News

Climate in the Courts: Lawyers to watch in 2024

Climate lawyers are gearing up for another monumental year in 2024.
August 7, 2023

In the News: Grist

Hawaii’s youth-led climate change lawsuit is going to trial next summer

“We have an opportunity with this case to transform Hawaii’s transportation system to benefit all of Hawaii’s people.”
October 25, 2021

In the News: Canary Media

Hawaii has a one-year deadline to ditch coal. Can it keep the lights on?

“HECO had a long time to begin planning for what the transition would look like.”
August 17, 2021

In the News: Canary Media

Hawaii vs. fossil fuels

"We strongly supported shutting down the coal plant. That facility needed to go. What we do with that loss of capacity is the key question."
June 24, 2021

In the News: PBS News

Can Hawaiʻi Achieve 100% Clean Energy by 2045?

An interview
May 12, 2021

In the News: Utility Dive

HECO appeals PUC decision on Kapolei battery project, warns of 'chilling message' to developers

"HECO should take responsibility for the crisis it's caused and focus on ensuring [the project] realizes its full potential to maximize renewable energy on the grid and minimize Hawai'i's dependence on fossil fuels. Instead, HECO's threatening to pull the plug on the project, put all the risk on ratepayers and the grid, and make us pay for all of it either way."
May 5, 2021

In the News: Honolulu Civil Beat

Hawaiian Electric Says It Might Pull The Plug On Giant Battery

“The commission did all it could do considering the circumstances.”
March 10, 2021

In the News: Utility Dive

Hawaiian Electric defends role in renewable energy project delays, as fossil fuel plants approach retirement

"We've seen in the past when there's been an unanticipated shortfall, that we've had to resort to other types of utility-scale fossil-based extensions or additions — and so I think the commission is really focused on not letting that happen."
School bus in Molokai
September 27, 2016

Regulators’ Failures Expose Hawaiians to Toxic Pesticides, Violating their Civil Rights

Earthjustice attorney Kylie Wager reveals a history of injustice around pesticide spraying in West Kauai and on the island of Molokai.
Earthjustice Managing Attorney Isaac Moriwake surveys rooftop solar
July 28, 2016

Hawai‘i Rejects a Billion-Dollar Power Play

Hawai‘i’s Public Utilities Commission recently rejected the $4.3 billion sale of the state’s main utility company to out-of-state profiteers.