The State Department of Transportation (HDOT) is inviting youth ages 11 to 24 to apply to serve on the inaugural Hawaiʻi Youth Transportation Council, which will serve as a working, leadership group advising HDOT on its climate mitigation and adaptation commitments and programs.

Youth Council members will learn about and give input on diverse matters from increasing public electric vehicle charging, to improving pedestrian safety, to communicating effectively with youth and the broader community.

Under the historic Navahine v. Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation constitutional climate settlement agreement reached in June 2024 between HDOT and youth advocates, HDOT agreed to establish a volunteer youth council to advise on HDOT’s mitigation and adaptation commitments on a quarterly basis, with transparency about youth council recommendations and HDOT’s responses.

The inaugural Youth Council will work directly with HDOT’s new Office of Climate Mitigation Adaptation and Culture to define the council’s long-term roles and responsibilities, meeting structure, project focus and ensuring participants have a rewarding and impactful experience.

HDOT expects the Youth Council will consist of approximately 20 youth, with seats reserved for each island. Youth Council members will represent the priorities, values, and needs of the communities they are a part of and bring their own lived and learned experience to HDOT’s work. The Youth Council will meet quarterly, with its first meeting to occur in December during winter break.

The deadline to apply is November 25.

For additional information and to apply online, visit the Hawai‘i Youth Transportation Council website.