Hawaii Trial Court Denies Oil Company Bids to Quash Climate Suit

A Hawaii state judge dismissed a series of motions from oil and gas companies seeking to toss Honolulu’s climate tort lawsuit before it can proceed to trial.

Judge Lisa Cataldo of Hawaii’s First Circuit Court handed down multiple rulings on Jan. 2, each one denying a bid to have Honolulu’s case scrapped over issues raised in the complaint related to out-of-state conduct, the statute of limitations, and personal jurisdiction.

Sunoco LP, Aloha Petroleum Ltd., and all other defendants pushed for summary judgment, while Exxon Mobil and BP also filed personal jurisdiction motions.

Honolulu made the scope of its climate ...