Maui County Wants Big Oil to Pay for the Costs of Rising Seas

Maui County hopes to prevent big oil companies like Exxon from taking their climate change damages case to federal courts, insisting that the lawsuit be heard at the state level.

2 minute read

November 3, 2020, 10:00 AM PST

By Lee Flannery @leecflannery


Maui Wildfire

iofoto / Shutterstock

Maui County is the latest to join nearly two dozen counties in suing big oil companies for damages caused by climate change. According to the lawsuit, companies like ExxonMobil, Chevron, Shell, and ConocoPhillips had knowledge of the destructive greenhouse gas emissions caused by their products as early as the 1970s, yet the companies did nothing to mitigate the negative effects. The county is suing for billions in damages to infrastructure caused by climate change-fueled sea level rise. 

"Sea level rise threatens Maui's five commercial harbors and five airports, which will become increasingly exposed to chronic flooding that will disrupt inter-island and transoceanic shipping and travel, impacting the county's economic activities along with its residents and visitors, the lawsuit said," reports David Hasemyer.

Damages caused by climate change are increasing year over year. A record-breaking fire season in 2019 burned nearly 26,000 acres "more than six times the total area burned in 2018," the lawsuit notes. 

"Native Hawaiian cultural and historical resources, such as burial grounds and home sites, and the habitat of native and endangered species face destruction by rising seas, wildfires and rising temperatures," Hasemyer relays from the lawsuit. 

The fossil fuel giants are pushing to have the case heard in federal court where the precedent stands that Congress should decide the remedies for climate change-related cases. Maui County prefers to be heard in the state court where they are "not constrained by prevailing federal laws that sharply constrain climate-related claims," writes Hasemyer.

Saturday, November 14, 2020 in Inside Climate News

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Close-up on Canadian flag with Canada Parliament building blurred in background.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?

As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

April 28, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Washington

Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing

A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.

May 1 - Streetsblog USA

Bluebird sitting on branch of green bush.

Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire

Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.

May 1 - AP News

1984 Olympics

LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles

LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.

May 1 - Newsweek

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.