It is a landmark Supreme Court of Hawaii case that held that state-law provides the jurisdiction for claims against oil and gas producers.
The City and County of Honolulu brought suit against a group of oil and gas companies in 2021, alleging that these companies failed to take the adequate steps to warn the state of the potential consequences that arose from their business practices on the global climate.
The companies argued that the state essentially sought to "regulate global fossil fuel emissions", characterising it as "de facto regulation" and the push forward the claim that federal common law pre-empts this case.
On October 31, 2023, the Supreme Court of Hawaii similarly rejected the oil and gas companies argument that this case should be brought under federal law and can proceed under Hawaii's state law.
[2] On Febuaray 29, 2024, a writ of Certiorari was filed in the Supreme Court of the United States, seeking review in this case.