Hawaii filed a landmark lawsuit against major oil companies in Oahu Circuit Court on Thursday, accusing Exxon Mobil, Chevron, Shell, and eight other energy firms of waging a “successful campaign of climate deception.” The civil complaint alleges these corporations knowingly misled the public about fossil fuels’ role in climate change while Hawaii faces devastating impacts including sea level rise, extreme weather, and the deadliest U.S. wildfire in over a century.
Federal Government Intervenes in Climate Fight
The Justice Department preemptively sued Hawaii on Wednesday to block the state’s legal action, marking the Trump administration’s latest effort to shield energy companies from climate liability. A 31-page federal complaint dismissed climate impacts as “alleged” and argued such state lawsuits burden domestic energy production. Hawaii Attorney General Anne Lopez condemned the move as “a direct attack on Hawaii’s rights as a sovereign state,” vowing to fight what she called gross federal overreach.
Islands Bear Climate Crisis Costs
The state’s lawsuit details severe consequences already unfolding: 70% of beaches eroding, 13 miles of coastline lost, and 66 state facilities flooded—including prisons and historic sites. It specifically cites the 2023 Maui wildfires that killed 100 people and caused $5.5 billion in damage. “Hawaii taxpayers shouldn’t foot this bill,” Governor Josh Green stated, arguing companies that concealed climate risks should bear the costs of adaptation and recovery.
Oil Companies’ Green Spending Exposed
Court documents reveal minimal renewable energy investments by defendants between 2010-2018: BP allocated 2.3% of capital, Shell 1.3%, with Chevron and Exxon spending less than 0.25%—despite public sustainability pledges. The complaint accuses them of “ramping up carbon-intensive extraction” like fracking while running “greenwashing” ad campaigns.
Legal Battle Joins Climate Accountability Wave
Hawaii’s action follows similar lawsuits by Democratic-led jurisdictions, including Honolulu’s 2020 case against oil companies. The state seeks compensatory damages, profit disgorgement, and court-ordered cessation of alleged deception. As Lopez declared: “They put profits ahead of people… and will now be held accountable in a Hawaii court.” This clash sets up a constitutional showdown over states’ rights to address climate harms as the administration pushes “energy dominance” policies.
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