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Press Release March 27, 2024

Community Groups Reach Legal Settlement with KIUC, State on West Kaua‘i Hydro Project

Pō‘ai Wai Ola and Nā Kia‘i Kai raised concerns about the energy project’s impact on the Waimea River

In the News: Grist March 8, 2024

How changes to Hawaiʻi’s home battery program could hinder its clean energy transition

Isaac Moriwake, Managing Attorney, Mid-Pacific Office: “You ought to consider the big picture of how not only individual systems, but the aggregate, are able to respond to grid needs on call, and respond to emergencies. There’s big-time value there.”

In the News: Honolulu Civil Beat February 20, 2024

Proposed HECO Bailout Bill Could Force The Utility Company To Restructure

Isaac Moriwake, Managing Attorney, Mid-Pacific Office: “I appreciate what the legislators are trying to do here in stepping up and protecting the ratepayer and public and adding some balance to a deal that was originally stacked 100% in the utility’s favor.”

In the News: Hawaii News Now February 20, 2024

More transparency sought in effort to ensure Maui wildfire survivors have water access

Elena Bryant, Attorney, Mid-Pacific Office: “Our interest here is making sure we are not heading into another plantation disaster capitalism situation, and we are here to help you makaala and ensure everything is pono given that you are truly our kahuwai pono [water rights guardians].”

In the News: PV Magazine February 12, 2024

Hawaii legislation seeks to undo “massive momentum killer” for rooftop solar

Isaac Moriwake, Managing Attorney, Mid-Pacific Office: “In my 15 years working with this Commission, this decision is the most drastic misstep I have seen — up there with slamming the curtain on net metering eight years ago, but with potentially more disastrous results.”

In the News: KALW Public Media: Your Call February 8, 2024

Six months later, Lahaina wildfire survivors don’t have stable housing

Elena Bryant, attorney in Earthjustice’s Mid-Pacific Office, discusses recovery efforts taking place in Lahaina, Maui.

Swimmers and surfers ride the waves at Kekaha Beach in West Kauaʻi.
(Clement Faydi / CC BY 2.0)
Press Release: Victory January 31, 2024

West Kauaʻi to Address Water Pollution at Kīkīaola Small Boat Harbor in Settlement with Community Groups

The groups reached a settlement with the County of Kauaʻi and Department of Health after filing a lawsuit in 2022 to enforce the Clean Water Act, capping a series of suits to protect West Kaua‘i coastal waters

In the News: Fast Company January 31, 2024

Hawaii is at the forefront of clean energy (or is it?)

Isaac Moriwake, Managing Attorney, Mid-Pacific Office: “Rooftop solar is our No. 1 success story. It jumpstarted our renewable energy growth and also captured the public’s imagination. We’ve made progress on the electric side, but we are not making progress overall. We are not going to get to our overall decarbonization goals unless we confront the…

A Hawaiian petrel chick in its burrow. (Andre Raine / U.S. FWS)
Press Release January 30, 2024

Hawaiian Electric Co. and Maui County Face Lawsuit to Protect Imperiled Hawaiian Seabirds

Conservation groups demand action to stop harm to seabirds from power lines and streetlights

document January 30, 2024

Notice of Intent: Hawaiian Electric Co. and Maui County Face Lawsuit to Protect Imperiled Hawaiian Seabirds

60 day notice on behalf of American Bird Conservancy and Conservation Council for Hawai‘i, of their intent to sue the County of Maui and Hawaiian Electric Industries, Hawaiian Electric Company, and Maui Electric Company over violations of Section 9 of the Endangered Species Act.

In the News: Honolulu Civil Beat January 16, 2024

Will A New Order Shut The Door On Future Rooftop Solar Across Hawaii?

Isaac Moriwake, Managing Attorney, Mid-Pacific Office, Earthjustice: “This decision is the most drastic misstep I have seen — up there with slamming the curtain on net metering eight years ago, but with potentially more disastrous results.”

In the News: E&E News January 2, 2024

Climate in the Courts: Lawyers to watch in 2024

Climate lawyers are gearing up for another monumental year in 2024.

Press Release December 14, 2023

Community Leaders Support KIUC’s Decision to Scale Down the West Kauaʻi Energy Project

The project’s Environmental Assessment did not adequately assess the harm caused by the diversion of 4 billion gallons of water a year from the Waimea River watershed

Members of Mālama Mākua photographed after the ceremony of the opening of the Makahiki in Mākua in 2016. (Courtesy of Mālama Mākua)
Press Release: Victory December 1, 2023

Hawai‘i’s Mākua Valley Forever Protected from Explosive Military Training

After 25 years of community advocacy, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of the Army declare Mākua safe from future use of mortars, artillery, and other live-fire training

Mākua beach and valley on the west coast of O‘ahu, Hawai‘i. (Backyard Production / Getty Images)
Article: Victory December 1, 2023

Hawaiʻi’s Valleys Get Permanent Protection from Damaging Military Training

After decades of advocacy, the Secretary of Defense announced that live-fire training will never happen at the Mākua Military Reservation again.

document November 30, 2023

Mākua Military Reservation Joint Statement Nov 30 2023

Mālama Mākua and Defendants Sec. of Defense and Sec of the U.S. Army, re defendants’ recent decision that they no longer need to conduct live-fire training at Mākua Military Reservation (MMR), now or in the future, and, therefore, no new unexploded ordnance (UXO) will be added to MMR.

Press Release: Victory October 24, 2023

Governor Green Reinstates Legal Protections After Community Groups Challenge Emergency Proclamation on Housing

Governor Green issued a revised Emergency Proclamation that eliminated attempts to suspend state laws requiring public hearings, assessment of environmental impacts, and protections for Native Hawaiian burials and also restored county council oversight over most affordable housing projects.

Press Release September 25, 2023

Earthjustice Files Lawsuit to Clean Up Kealakehe Wastewater Treatment Plant Sewage Discharges into the Pacific Ocean

Hawai’i County must comply with the Clean Water Act to prevent discharged wastewater from contaminating Honokōhau Harbor