3 years after wildfires devastated Maui, organizers in Hawaii continue to push for accountability from the state’s utility Hawaii Electric to ensure the state’s grid is resilient, reliable, and transitioning rapidly to clean energy. The state faces growing pressures from the expanding tourism industry and the LNG industry – so a slate of progressive climate leaders are running to ensure those industries pay their fair share and ensure local communities, their way of life, and the environment are well preserved. We’re backing:

Kahi Pacarro for House District 19: Pacarro is a proven environmental leader ready to turn his years of experience protecting Hawaiʻi’s coastlines into bold action at the State Capitol. As the co-founder of Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii and the chair of East Honolulu’s Clean Water and Natural Lands Commission, he understands climate change is already affecting the city through flooding, coastal erosion, and rising utility bills. If elected, he’ll hold Hawaiian Electric accountable for climate damages while advancing an affordable transition to renewable energy and protecting the coastlines, streams, and fishponds that define East Honolulu. 

Nadia Alves for House District 28: A long serving political organizer and teacher, Alves is running with a comprehensive plan to prepare Hawaii for the escalating climate crisis. She wants to invest in resilient public buildings that can serve as storm shelters, work toward a fare-free public transit system with an all-electric bus fleet, and expand local agriculture to reduce Hawaiʻi’s dependence on imported food. Nadia will also be a steadfast vote against introducing liquefied natural gas or expanding other fossil-fuel infrastructure on the islands.

Bobby Pahia for Maui County Council Upcountry: Pahia is a lifelong farmer whose climate leadership is rooted in an understanding of Maui’s natural systems. Guided by his motto, “Just keep planting,” Bobby will not only be a champion of clean energy efforts – but will also advance tree restoration to replenish water, prevent erosion and flooding, and create communities better protected from wildfire. Pahia’s election will help secure an environmental majority on this critical county commission to expand clean energy and fight back against fossil fuel development.

Kim Coco Iwamoto for House District 25: Iwamoto is an incumbent representative who has championed climate action by introducing legislation to use the barrel tax to fund fare-free public transportation statewide, expose the true cost of fossil fuels, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. She will continue to fight for a just transition that lowers emissions, expands mobility, and builds a more equitable and self-sufficient Hawaiʻi.

Keoni Kuoha for House District 12: Kuoha is a Native Hawaiian cultural practitioner and natural-resource leader who served on the Governor’s Green Fee Advisory Council where he worked to ensure Hawaiʻi’s resilience funding supports community-led projects. As Maui faces intensifying drought, wildfires, and floods, Keoni will fight to expand geothermal and other renewable energy resources to ensure Hawaii is equitably tackling climate change. 

Jordan Nakamura for Senate District 13: Nakamura is an organic farmer and environmental educator whose climate platform is rooted in restoring Hawaiʻi’s traditional ahupuaʻa system of land and water stewardship. If elected, he’ll fight to expand solar incentives and support for local farmers while returning military-leased lands to the public trust for restoration, agroforestry, and Native Hawaiian community use. Jordan will also work to hold fossil fuel companies financially responsible for the damage caused by their pollution and misinformation campaigns.