Mari and Vaigai: elephant liberty case
May Mari and Vaigai invoke Hawaiʻi’s common-law writ of habeas corpus to challenge their confinement, and what remedy—if any—will the court recognize?
Overview
Mari and Vaigai are wild-born Asian elephants held at the Honolulu Zoo. The Nonhuman Rights Project seeks recognition that they may use Hawaiʻi’s common-law writ of habeas corpus to challenge their confinement. The City and County of Honolulu opposes the petition. The case concerns access to the writ and legal liberty; this page does not state that the elephants already possess legal personhood or that the zoo has been found to act unlawfully.
People & organizations
Advocate / organization
Timeline
Add· Honolulu, Hawaiʻi
The Nonhuman Rights Project filed an application asking the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court to review dismissal of its habeas corpus case on behalf of Mari and Vaigai.
· Honolulu, Hawaiʻi
The City and County of Honolulu filed a response asking the state supreme court to reject the application for review.
· Honolulu, Hawaiʻi
The Hawaiʻi Supreme Court granted the application for a writ of certiorari and agreed to hear the appeal.
· Honolulu, Hawaiʻi
The court scheduled oral argument for 10:00 a.m. HST on November 9, 2026, at Punahou School through the Courts in the Community program, with a judiciary livestream announced.
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Responses
No response published yet.
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Outcome
No outcome recorded yet.
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