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In the News: The Honolulu Star-Advertiser August 15, 2026

BLNR nixes long-term East Maui water license for Mahi Pono

Elena Bryant, Attorney, Mid-Pacific Office: "This isn’t just putting the cart before the horse — it’s sending the cart off a cliff and hoping the horse somehow catches up."
Mount Waiʻaleʻale is a place of paramount sacredness in Hawaiian culture. (Maxim Kabb / Getty Images)
From the Experts June 24, 2026

The Hawaiʻi Constitution: Rooted in Culture and ‘Āina (Land)

With extensive protections for the environment, the Hawaiʻi Constitution is a model for other states’ green amendments and public trust provisions.
In the News: KHON December 16, 2025

State Water Commission fines West Maui landowner for violating water standards

Dru Hara, Attorney, Mid-Pacific Office: “These are the folks who are the stakeholders that are most immediately affected by these violations. And I think if we’re gonna come up with any meaningful solutions of water in West Maui, the community needs to be consulted in a meaningful way.”
In the News: Honolulu Civil Beat March 12, 2025

Governor’s Pick Withdraws From Consideration For Hawai‘i Water Rights Board

Harley M. Broyles, Attorney, Mid-Pacific Office: “Rodrigues’s withdrawal is only the first step to correct the Green Administration’s legal missteps. Now the Governor needs to follow through and appoint one of the other nominees he’s already been given through the legally mandated process.”
In the News: Hawaii News Now January 28, 2025

Law firm sues Gov. Green over controversial appointment

Harley M. Broyles, Attorney, Mid-Pacific Office: “The law does not provide that the governor has that kind of discretion to completely, completely disregard and throw away the nominating committee’s list and start over to get a new one.”
Press Release January 27, 2025

Governor Green Faces Lawsuit Challenging Water Commission Appointment

Process for nominating interim commissioner in the loea seat draws legal fire and community backlash
document January 27, 2025

Hawaii Water Commission: Complaint and Summons

Plaintiff Hui Kānāwai ‘Oia‘i‘o seek a judicial declaration that Defendants Governor Josh Green and the Commission on Water Resource Management unlawfully and invalidly circumvented the process for nominating members of…
The newly restored flows to Wailuku River in October 2014. (Kapua Sproat / Earthjustice)
From the Experts: Victory December 10, 2024

Hawaiʻi High Court Sides with Native Community Groups in Water Dispute

The decision bolsters Hawaiʻi’s public trust framework, a legal doctrine establishing that natural resources must be protected for public use.
Earthjustice attorney Isaac Moriwake speaks at the Navahine + Hawai’i Department of Transportation youth climate settlement celebration at ‘Iolani Palace on June 24th, 2024. (Elyse Butler for Earthjustice)
Article October 30, 2024

5 Questions: Attorney Isaac Moriwake Reflects on Landmark Hawai‘i Cases

Isaac Moriwake, longtime environmental attorney at Earthjustice, reflects on recent cases that now have potential to improve on the status quo.
The newly restored flows to Wailuku River in October 2014. (Kapua Sproat / Earthjustice)
Press Release: Victory June 24, 2024

Hawai‘i’s High Court Issues Another Historic Ruling in Maui “Four Waters” Case

State Water Commission failed to restore stream flows after closure of last sugar plantation
document June 20, 2024

Hawaiʻi Supreme Court Maui Na Wai Eha Stream Opinion

We therefore vacate the Commission’s Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, and Decision and Order issued June 28, 2021, as amended by Errata issued June 30, 2021, with respect to…
Snake River's blue waters stand out against green landscape with Teton Mountain Range ascending in the background. Grand Tetons National Park, Teton County, Wyoming. (Edwin Remsberg / Getty Images)
Update December 7, 2023

Snake River Salmon Are in Crisis — But a Turning Point May Be Near

As time runs out for Pacific Northwest salmon, the Biden administration is signaling important steps to restore native fish populations and honor treaty obligations.
Creek at Iao Valley State Park, Maui, Hawaii. (aimintang / iStock)
From the Experts August 28, 2023

How Maui’s Wildfire Sparked a Disaster Capitalist Power Grab for Hawaiʻi’s Public Water

The battle over fresh water resources on the Hawaiian Islands is as old as the colonialist mindset that fuels it.
In the News: The Guardian August 17, 2023

Why was there no water to fight the fire in Maui?

An opinion piece by Naomi Klein and Kapuaʻala Sproat. Naomi Klein is the professor of climate justice and co-director of the Centre for Climate Justice at the University of British Columbia. Kapuaʻala Sproat is a Professor of Law at Ka Huli Ao Native Hawaiian Law Center & the Environmental Law…
Press Release January 9, 2023

West Kauaʻi Residents Call for Environmental Impact Statement on Major New Hydro Project

Community calls foul on lack of public hearing on island’s hugest project of the century proposed by KIUC and AES
Press Release April 20, 2022

State Water Commission Restores Moloka‘i’s Kawela Stream

Community-led movement leads to groundbreaking Commission decision
In the News: The Garden Island December 20, 2021

BLNR renews KIUC permit despite local opposition

Leina‘ala Ley, Attorney, Mid-Pacific Office, Earthjustice: “KIUC admits it has not used water from the two diversions for the past two and a half years, and will not be able to use water for the foreseeable future because it has not repaired the siphon and it does not have plans,…
In the News: Honolulu Star Advertiser June 30, 2021

Battle might not be pau over Maui stream water

Isaac Moriwake, Managing Attorney, Mid-Pacific Office, Earthjustice: “This is a model for 21st-century water management for all of Hawaii. We owe it to the community who carried the burden for this, and to future generations, to get it right.”