National Environmental Organizations Endorse Jarrett Keohokalole for Hawai‘i’s 1st Congressional District

HONOLULU — The Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund and Friends of the Earth Action Fund today announced their joint endorsement of Jarrett Keohokalole for Hawai‘i’s 1st Congressional District.

Keohokalole is facing incumbent Rep. Ed Case in the Aug. 8 primary.

Since joining the Hawai‘i State Legislature in 2018, Sen. Keohokalole has been an environmental champion. He’s worked to remediate dangerous chemical contamination of groundwater, hold pesticide, chemical and fossil fuel companies accountable, and conserve Hawai‘i’s vulnerable ecosystems.

Keohokalole was a key voice in stopping the Navy’s Red Hill fuel storage facility and cleaning up associated groundwater contamination. He has also advanced legislation that incentivizes natural pest management practices in coconut production while pushing back against nurseries and broader agricultural industries that skirt environmental and safety inspection requirements.

“Hawaiʻi needs leaders willing to stand up to powerful interests. Jarrett Keohokalole has been fighting for our communities, our health and our environment for years,” said Maxx Phillips, Hawaiʻi political director at the Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund. “Ed Case has too often been on the other side, putting donor interests ahead of the people he was elected to serve.”

The1st Congressional District seat is currently held by Case, one of the most anti-environment members of the Democratic caucus. He famously threatened to scuttle President Biden’s Build Back Better agenda and has supported the Republican-led SAVE Act, an extreme voter-verification bill that creates arbitrary barriers for eligible voters, particularly women. Case has consistently failed to advocate for Hawai‘ians harmed by the pesticide industry and has never led on significant environmental legislation during his congressional career.

“Jarret Keohokalole will put Hawaii and its people first. He’s committed to safeguarding bedrock environmental laws, making polluters pay, and protecting the health and safety of the whole community. Keohokalole believes it’s time for a change, and we agree. Friends of the Earth Action is proud to endorse him,” said Ariel Moger, director of public affairs at Friends of the Earth Action.

Media contact: Lindsay Tice, (202) 783-7400 x 8403, [email protected]

The Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund is a national organization that advocates for legislation and legislators that will advance a progressive environmental agenda. This news release is from the Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund, the 501(c)(4) affiliate of the Center for Biological Diversity, but these organizations’ names are not interchangeable.

Friends of the Earth (Action), Inc. fights for transformational environmental policy and pushes political discourse to center justice and the environment. Friends of the Earth (Action), Inc. is the 501(c)(4) affiliate of Friends of the Earth U.S., but these organizations’ names are not interchangeable. This news release is from Friends of the Earth (Action), Inc., not Friends of the Earth.

Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.