Advocate for the ʻĀina and your Community This Legislative Session

Originally published in the January 2025 Mālama Monthly.

Today, Wednesday, January 15, the Hawaiʻi State Legislature reconvened to take up laws and policies that have the potential to shape the future of our island home for generations.  

The 2025 Legislative Session promises to be eventful, with a handful of new lawmakers in office, and most notably, new House of Representative leadership. Several key issues are set to take center stage, with the potential for transformative measures that will create a more resilient future:

Water Resources

With Oʻahu’s drinking water already compromised, it is crucial to protect the island’s remaining sources from further contamination. This session, we anticipate proposals addressing:

• The proposed site for Oʻahu’s next landfill, as well as future landfill siting on other islands.

• Remediation requirements for jet fuel released from large underground storage tank facilities.

• The confirmation of the controversial Water Commission loea seat, along with possibly two additional anticipated vacancies on the Commission.

Invasive Species and Biosecurity

Since the last legislative session, Hawaiʻi’s invasive pest crisis has worsened. Coconut rhinoceros beetles continue to wreak havoc on Oʻahu—where it is now more common to see coconut rhinoceros beetle munched niu than healthy ones—and are spreading across Kauaʻi. Meanwhile, little fire ants continue to infiltrate new communities on Oʻahu, Maui, and Kauaʻi. With permanent quarantine rules soon to be in place, the Agriculture Department will need additional funding and staffing to see through their invasive species responsibilities, as well as a higher level of accountability to ensure the status quo foot dragging does not continue to the detriment of our natural environment. Further, there is a need for enhanced biosecurity measures and invasive species controls to combat current and future invasive species threats. 

Housing, Development, and the Environment

Affordable housing is poised to be a central issue this session, as indicated by the Green Administration and lawmakers. We will closely monitor housing legislation to ensure it is not used as a pretext to weaken environmental, cultural, agricultural, and good governance laws. Addressing the many root causes of our housing challenges and avoiding harmful red herrings must remain the priority.

We will also stand in strong defense of the Hawaiʻi Land Use Commission, ensuring it retains the authority and expertise needed to navigate and balance the complex public interests affected by large-scale developments.

Climate Resiliency

The impacts of climate destabilization are already here and will only worsen. Hawaiʻi must stay on track to meet its clean energy goals with energy sources that are truly clean, renewable, and safe, not only to minimize our carbon emissions but to build out our islands’ resiliency. Resiliency also requires up-to-date building codes that account for climate impacts and protect our families and first responders and guarantees that insurance remains accessible and equitable for communities most at risk.

Lahaina

We remain committed to supporting the Lahaina community in their recovery and rebuilding efforts. We will continue to stand with the West Maui community to ward off unwanted exploitation of their freshwater and natural resources by politically connected landowner and developer interests. 

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Get Involved This Session

Bills are already being introduced and our staff and volunteers are busy sifting through to track bills in our priority areas. We are just days away from opening day—now is the time to prepare to make this your most engaged legislative session yet. Our Hawaiʻi CapitolWatch program aims to make participating in the legislative process as easy as possible. Be sure to follow along with our priority bills at hawaiicapitolwatch.org and sign up for CapitolWatch email alerts here. 

Also consider signing up for the Environmental Legislative Network, a network for activists, community leaders, students, professors, elected officials, and others to share news and calls to action regarding Hawaiʻi’s natural and cultural public trust resources - simply email us at hawaii.chapter@sierraclub.org to be added to the ELN email list.

Sign Up for Email Updates

With heightening climate crisis impacts, fuel and forever chemicals poisoning our water, a skyrocketing cost of living, development threatening significant lands and countless other issues impacting our lives as we know it and the future well-being of the islands, Hawaiʻi needs policies and lawmakers that take a stand for our shared environment and all the lives that depend on it.

We need people like you to share your voice and take action on issues you care about and encourage your friends and family to do the same. One way to do that is to stay up to date on the Sierra Club of Hawaiʻi's 2025 legislative priorities by subscribing to our CapitolWatch email list—you will receive updates and action alerts straight to your inbox.

Ready to Make a Difference? Join Our New In-District Lobby Program

The recent primary election has set the stage for an exciting 2025 Legislative Session with new leadership and fresh faces. As summer winds down, we are preparing for the upcoming year and launching an innovative In-District Lobby Program—and we are looking for volunteers like you!

You are invited to play a key role in the Sierra Club of Hawaiʻi’s advocacy efforts by becoming a volunteer lobbyist in our new In-District Lobby Program.

As a volunteer lobbyist, you will work closely with a team to coordinate district lobbying efforts for your representative or senator in the Hawaiʻi State Legislature. Through this role, you’ll build a relationship with your legislator and highlight the local significance of the Chapter's legislative priorities. You and your team will be the Sierra Club’s voice in your district.

History has shown that consistent, district-level engagement with legislators can significantly improve their voting records. These lobbying efforts often foster new leadership at the Capitol. Our goal is to amplify our impact by creating a network of knowledgeable and effective advocates like you, who will take responsibility for ongoing communication with their legislators. The Sierra Club of Hawaiʻi will provide you with regular updates and occasional opportunities to connect with volunteers from other districts to share experiences and strategies.

Committing to this program means dedicating 2-5 hours a month to activities such as:

• Scheduling and attending in-person or virtual meetings with your representative or senator.

• Participating in Sierra Club issue briefings, skill trainings, or researching specific bills.

• Attending a possible lobby day at the Capitol (travel reimbursement may be available).

• Reporting back to fellow volunteers and staff on your legislator’s stance on priority issues.

We are reaching out to select activists like you because we believe your involvement can make a significant difference. We understand your time is valuable, and we are confident that by focusing our efforts in this coordinated way, we can greatly increase political support for sound environmental policies in Hawaiʻi. The Sierra Club is committed to supporting you throughout this experience to ensure it is rewarding and impactful.

The coming years present tremendous opportunities to advance the environmental agenda in our islands. With your help, we believe this will be a pivotal time for clean air, clean water, open spaces, and the many other causes we care about.

If you’re ready to make a difference, sign up using this form to express your interest in joining the Hawaiʻi In-District Lobby Team, and we’ll be in touch with the next steps.