COMMITTEES ON JUDICIARY AND AGRICULTURE AND ENVIRONMENT TO HOLD BRIEFING ON CLIMATE CHANGE

HONOLULU – The Hawaiʻi State Senate Committee on Judiciary (JDC) and the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Environment (AEN) are holding an informational briefing to hear from State Climate Change Coordinator Leah Laramee and Retired Associate Justice Michael D. Wilson on the impacts of recent federal policy changes, tariffs, and funding cuts on Hawaiʻi’s climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts.

View the Hearing Notice HERE  

“The Judiciary Committee seeks a clear and informed understanding of how likely illegal federal funding cuts are impacting Hawaiʻi’s progress in addressing climate change,” said Senator Karl Rhoads (District 13 – Dowsett Highlands, Puʻunui, Nuʻuanu, Pacific Heights, Pauoa, Punchbowl, Pālama, Liliha, Iwilei, Chinatown, and Downtown), Chair of the Committee on Judiciary. “With continued uncertainty surrounding federal support every moment of inaction places the future of our homes and our vital ecosystems at greater risk.”

“This informational briefing aims to open the door to meaningful dialogue among local climate leaders and activists,” said Senator Mike Gabbard (District 21 – Kapolei, Makakilo, Kalaeloa, Honokai Hale, portions of Fernandez Village, ‘Ewa, and Ko ʻOlina), Chair of the Committee on Agriculture and Environment. “As federal support grows increasingly uncertain, we must strengthen our advocacy for proactive policies that safeguard Hawaiʻi’s islands, natural resources, and future generations.”

AGENDA:  

1.            Welcome and Introductions (10 mins)  

2.            Leah Laramee, Climate Change Coordinator, Hawaiʻi Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation Commission (15 mins)

3.            The Hon. Michael D. Wilson (Ret.), Associate Justice, Hawaiʻi Supreme Court (15 mins)

4.            Questions from the Committee (5 minutes per Member for questions and answers)

WHEN/WHERE:  

10:00AM, Monday, November 3, 2025  

Conference Room 016 & Videoconference  

Hawaiʻi State Capitol  

415 South Beretania Street  

Honolulu, HI 96813  

ACCESSIBILITY: For accommodations, please contact the committee clerk at (808) 587-7211 or email JDCCommittee@capitol.hawaii.gov. Requests made as early as possible have a greater likelihood of being fulfilled.  

Photo ID is required for entry into the State Capitol building. Limited paid public parking is available at the Capitol; entrance is via Miller Street off Punchbowl. Additional public parking is available in Lot V (Vineyard Garage on Punchbowl); Lot G (Kalanimoku Building on Beretania & Punchbowl); and Lot L (Kinau Hale Building on Punchbowl).  

This informational briefing is part of a series of informational briefings on the rule of law in relation to the recent actions of the Trump Administration and how its decisions are impacting Hawaiʻi.

Information about past and upcoming briefings can be accessed on the Senate Judiciary Committee webpage HERE