Elizabeth Kieszkowski

Oct 31, 2024 | earthjustice.org | Elizabeth Kieszkowski

This article was originally published at Honolulu Star-Advertiser and is republished by permission. The court overturned a 2021 state Water Commission decision for failing to take the initiative to return more flows to the streams after the Hawaiian Commercial and Sugar Co. plantation closed in 2016. As the ruling makes clear, Hawai‘i’s Constitution establishes a powerful public trust duty to protect water resources and Native Hawaiian water rights. This duty is affirmative — it compels action.

Aug 9, 2024 | staradvertiser.com | Elizabeth Kieszkowski

Isaac Moriwake, the longtime environmental attorney, reflects on landmark cases that now have potential to improve on the status quo. On June 20, the Hawaii Supreme Court ruled in the Hui o Na Wai ‘Eha suit over water diversions from Central Maui’s “Four Great Waters” (Waihee, Waiehu, Wailuku and Waikapu streams), that Hawaii public agencies must act to protect public and Native Hawaiian rights to common resources. How does this affect other water decisions?

Jul 22, 2024 | staradvertiser.com | Elizabeth Kieszkowski

State Legislature competitions in the Aug. 10 primary are few and far between — fewer than usual, unfortunately, and that’s a shame. Competition is good for wider voter choice, and it can certainly keep incumbents from getting complacent, pushing them to work harder. One case in point: The heated rematch between state Rep. Scott Saiki and Kim Coco Iwamoto in House District 25 (Ala Moana, Kakaako, Downtown); in 2022 Iwamoto came within 161 votes of toppling the House speaker.

Jun 7, 2024 | staradvertiser.com | Elizabeth Kieszkowski

Family Promise of Hawai‘i is a 501(c)3 nonprofit, part of a nationwide network of local affiliates dedicated to preventing and ending homelessness for children and their families. Please give us an overview. We keep families together in their time of need by serving families of all sizes, from single parents to multigenerational households, providing holistic services that help families transition from homelessness to long-term housing stability.

Apr 5, 2024 | staradvertiser.com | Elizabeth Kieszkowski

In 2023, the Hawaii Legislature approved $600 million for Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) acquisition and preparation of homesteads, envisioned as resulting in 2,000-plus homes for qualified Native Hawaiian beneficiaries — but the agency is aiming to deliver additional housing. Tell us more. DHHL is currently and aggressively leveraging Hawaii’s Act 279 appropriation of $600 million to pursue additional federal funding, with the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in place and funded.