Nonhuman Rights Project & Hawaii Supreme Court

This hearing is a defining moment for animal rights and legal progress. The Hawaiʻi Supreme Court is now only the third state high court in the U.S. to consider whether a nonhuman animal possesses the fundamental right to liberty. But for Mari and Vaigai—who have spent over 30 years confined in a small, unnatural enclosure—this is their chance to challenge that confinement and secure their freedom.
“Every morning, the sun rises over O‘ahu, and Mari and Vaigai face another day in the same acre of confinement they have known since 1982 and 1992, respectively. Every evening, it sets on another day without the freedom to choose where to go or how to live. As a result, Mari and Vaigai are forced to endure daily physical, psychological, and neurological harm. Their lives deserve far more.
To every supporter who makes it possible for us to challenge their confinement: thank you for standing with Mari and Vaigai and helping us fight for their freedom. You have given us the opportunity to stand before the Hawai‘i Supreme Court and ask for change, an opportunity few lawyers are afforded. Because of you, we can work toward a day when Mari and Vaigai experience sanctuary in an environment much closer to the forests of India from which they were stolen as calves.”
- Jake Davis\, NhRP Senior Staff Attorney
This hearing is a pivotal moment for our clients, and for all elephants who suffer in captivity. And we would not be here—creating legal history and giving our clients their day in court—without your support.

Event Details:

Date: Monday, November 9, 2026
Time: 10:00 a.m. HST
Location: Punahou School (Hosted as part of the Judiciary's Courts in the Community program)
Address: 1601 Punahou St, Honolulu, HI 96822
Both in-person and on-line (YouTube)
We'll be meeting at 9:30 by the entrance to the hearing, which starts at 10:00.