IMPORTANT ANIMAL RIGHTS CASE: On Monday, November 9, 10 am, the Hawai'i Supreme Court will hear oral argument on November 9, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. HST at Punahou School's Dillingham Hall in Honolulu (docket SCWC-24-0000323), in the Nonhuman Rights Project's habeas corpus case seeking recognition of Honolulu Zoo elephants Mari and Vaigai's right to liberty and transfer to an accredited sanctuary. The hearing is open to the public and livestreamed via the Judiciary's YouTube channel and possibly also 'Olelo, so anyone may watch from home.
The Nonhuman Rights Project reflection published October 16, 2026, on the Hawai'i State Bar Association Animal Law Section's amicus brief argues the Court should ground its decision in the Aloha Spirit, noting Native Hawaiian regard of animals as of the same order as people ('aumakua), and that Mari has lived at the Honolulu Zoo since 1982 and Vaigai since 1992.
The Nonhuman Rights Project's action alert asks supporters to tell the Honolulu Zoo to free Mari and Vaigai to a sanctuary ahead of the November 9 hearing, and the Vegan Society of Hawai'i is promoting attendance at the public hearing as a show of community support.
The hunting industry is now publicly attacking the elephant case: the National Shooting Sports Foundation warned on October 21, 2026, that if Hawai'i courts extend animal-personhood theories, anti-hunting litigants could challenge wildlife-management decisions in the name of individual animal rights.
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KILLING MONK SEALS: In the federal prosecution of Igor Lytvynchuk, accused of throwing a rock at Lani, a Hawaiian monk seal resting on a Lahaina beach on May 5, 2026, a judge reset the trial to January 19, 2027. Beat of Hawaii notes only one conviction has occurred among 16 reported intentional monk seal killings in Hawai'i since 2009.
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ANIMAL ADVOCACY COURSE: While we’re on the subject of animal rights, we can share that the online course, Animal Law and Advocacy, will be offered at William S. Richardson School of Law next semester. Whether you’re passionate about protecting companion animals, wildlife, marine life, or farmed animals, this course is a great opportunity to explore the legal issues surrounding animal protection and advocacy! Animal Law and Advocacy (LAW 520R). Professor David Raatz. Mondays | 6:45–8:25 PM. 2 Credits. More information here.
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SAVING WILDLIFE: The Papahanaumokuakea Marine Debris Project returned to Honolulu on October 8, 2026, completing its 2026 field season and five-year Catch-up and Keep-up Initiative: its final expedition (September 14–October 8) removed 47,000 pounds of marine debris, including 28,730 pounds of derelict fishing nets from reefs, and its field team freed five green sea turtles from entanglements. Since 2020 the project has removed over 1.3 million pounds of debris and rescued three monk seals, 20 green sea turtles, and numerous seabirds; it is now seeking new funding and partnerships to continue.
EVENTS
Sunday, November 1 is World Vegan Day.
Friday-Sunday, November 6-8 Veganic Summit, Online event. November 6-8, 2026. Learn from leading experts in vegan organic gardening and farming.
Monday, November 9, 10 am HST, the Hawai'i Supreme Court will hear oral argument on November 9, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. HST in the Nonhuman Rights Project's habeas corpus case seeking recognition of Honolulu Zoo elephants Mari and Vaigai's right to liberty and transfer to an accredited sanctuary. The hearing will be livestreamed via the Judiciary's YouTube channel and possibly also 'Olelo, so anyone may watch from home.
Saturday, November 14, 9:00 a.m.–1:30 p.m 'Ohana workshop: "Cordage with Native Plants." Kauluwehi Biocultural Garden, UH Maui College, Kahului. Free. Details here.
Sunday, November 15, 12 noon HST. “Chronic Disease and Aging.” A free online presentation by Charlyn Black, MD, ScD, hosted by the Vegan Society of Hawaii. Details here.
ONGOING
The Vegan Society of Hawaii hosts online presentations and occasionally in-person events on Maui. Check here for the latest.
Farm-to-table brunches and dinners in Kula are offered by Moku Roots. Email mokuroots@gmail.com to be placed on the mailing list.
Thursdays 9 am – 12 noon, Common Ground Collective's community garden sessions run every Thursday, 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m., at the CGC Community Garden at Haiku House in Ha'iku — plant, weed, and harvest produce that feeds residents in need. Details here.
NEWS AND TRENDS
A World Without Animal Testing is Closer Than You Think
HEALTH AND NUTRITION
A Low-Fat Vegan Diet Cuts Liver Fat by a Third and Improves Insulin Function
Swap Meat For Vegetables And Avert 4.5 Million Chronic Disease Cases, Finds Study
SPORTS AND FITNESS
Vegan powerlifter says diet change solved his health problems
At Under 61 kg, She Deadlifted 215 kg to Win English Powerlifting. She Has Been Vegan Since 17.
Chris Smalling credits nearly a decade of veganism for football success
RESOURCES
Hawaiian-Style Vegan Recipes - We’ve recently updated our collection of links to Hawaii-inspired, animal-free recipes.
Our Maui Vegan Food Guide, info on restaurants, food trucks, grocery stores and specialty vendors has also been updated recently.
CONNECTIONS
Three Maui vegan Facebook groups are Vegan on Maui, Maui Vegans and Maui Vegan Life. The Vegan Society of Hawaii occasionally holds in-person presentations in Wailuku.
THIS MONTH IN VEGAN HISTORY
Starbucks Drops the Plant Milk Tax. Starbucks removed its charge for non-dairy milk at company-owned stores in the U.S. and Canada, timed with its holiday launch. (November 7, 2024)
Science Backs the Shift. A Stanford study of identical twins shows measurable heart health benefits from a vegan diet in as little as eight weeks. (November 2023)
California Passes Prop 12. Voters approved it with about 63% of the vote, setting minimum space requirements for egg-laying hens, breeding pigs, and veal calves. (November 6, 2018)
Massachusetts Says Yes on Question 3. Voters approved a farm animal confinement law with about 78% support. It also bars the sale of eggs and meat from animals raised in noncompliant conditions. (November 8, 2016)
California Passes Prop 2. Voters passed the Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act with 63%, covering veal crates, battery cages, and sow gestation crates. (November 4, 2008)
Vegan Festival Spirit in Maui. Over 200 people gather in Haʻikū for the first of three annual Vegan Holiday Festivals. (November 17, 2007)
Farewell to a Founder. Donald Watson, coiner of the word “vegan” and central figure of the movement, dies at age 95. (November 16, 2005)
Florida Bans Gestation Crates. Voters approved Amendment 10, banning gestation crates for pregnant pigs, by roughly 55% to 45%. (November 5, 2002)
Dynamic Harmlessness Day Established. The American Vegan Society celebrates the birthday of its founder, H. Jay Dinshah, as a day to reflect on non-violence and ethical vegan principles. (November 2, 2001)
World Vegan Day is Born. Louise Wallis, chair of The Vegan Society, inaugurates World Month. (November 1, 1994)
Shaw Dies at 94. George Bernard Shaw, a committed vegetarian from age 25, died. (November 2, 1950)
The Vegan is Launched. The Vegan News becomes The Vegan. Its ~500 subscribers gain access to an early vegan product trade lists. (November 1945)
The Vegan News Published. The first issue of The Vegan News circulates, laying out the .philosophy of a new movement. (November 24, 1944)
“Vegan” is Born. Donald Watson coins the term “vegan” to distinguish non-dairy vegetarians and founds The Vegan Society with five like-minded colleagues. (November 1944)
Gandhi Argues for Ethical Vegetarianism. Speaking to the London Vegetarian Society, Gandhi says its case for vegetarianism should rest on moral conviction, rather than health alone. This predates the founding of the vegan movement, so the speech should not be described as support for an already emerging vegan organization. (November 20, 1931)
Plant Foods Reach The New York Times. The newspaper reports on physician Elmer Lee’s advocacy of a diet centered on plant foods, bringing an early discussion of the idea to a mainstream American audience. (November 6, 1910).
A Vegetarian Social Reformer Is Born. William Hoyle, later a British temperance campaigner and advocate of vegetarian diets, is born. His work illustrates the connection between food reform and other nineteenth century reform movements. (November 5, 1831)
Bronson Alcott Is Born. Alcott was born November 29, 1799, and co-founded the Fruitlands community in 1843, where the diet was strictly vegan. Residents also avoided dairy, wool, leather, and cotton. (November 29, 1799)