At just twenty-three years old, Hikaru Wakeel Hayakawa has already made a name for himself as one of the leading voices in the global climate justice movement. A Caribbean and Japanese American activist, Indigenous studies researcher, and social entrepreneur, Hayakawa is the newly appointed Executive Director of Climate Cardinals—the world’s largest youth-led climate advocacy organization.
Expanding Climate Cardinals: Growth and Impact
Under his leadership, Climate Cardinals, which already boasts over 16,000 volunteers across 82 countries, is on track for even greater expansion, with its volunteer network projected to grow to over 50,000 by the end of 2024. But Hayakawa’s impact extends far beyond numbers—his innovative approach to climate advocacy is redefining how young people engage with the fight against climate change.
Hayakawa helped establish Climate Cardinals as a full-time student, driven by a vision to break down the language barriers that prevent critical climate information from reaching those who need it most. Realizing that millions of people around the world lacked access to vital environmental information because it wasn’t available in their native languages, Hayakawa spearheaded Climate Cardinals’ signature translation program. In partnership with Translators Without Borders and Google Cloud, he expanded the organization’s translation capacity to a remarkable one million words per year. This initiative has enabled Climate Cardinals to process over two million words of climate-related materials, bringing essential environmental information to underserved communities across the globe.
Securing Major Philanthropic Support
Hayakawa’s leadership and vision helped attract the attention of major philanthropic organizations. Climate Cardinals became one of the first-ever youth-led organizations to secure funding from Google’s philanthropic branch, a testament to the organization’s innovative and scalable model. With Hayakawa at the helm, Climate Cardinals now operates with a six-figure budget, enabling it to continue growing its volunteer base, increasing the number of languages it can work with, and expanding the scope of its climate advocacy initiatives. His ability to both secure funding and manage large-scale volunteer operations sets Hayakawa apart as a leader who understands how to translate vision into tangible action.
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Empowering the Next Generation of Climate Activists
As Executive Director, Hayakawa not only oversees the day-to-day operations of Climate Cardinals but also serves as a mentor to over a hundred youth volunteers who comprise the organization’s core executive team. These young leaders look to him for guidance on project management, organizational leadership, and the nuances of climate advocacy. His dedication to empowering the next generation of activists is evident in the way he fosters a culture of collaboration and learning within the organization. This focus on mentorship ensures that Climate Cardinals will continue to thrive as a dynamic force in the climate justice movement.
Related Article: Vee Kativhu: Empowering Youth and Driving Global Change with the UN Secretary-General
Commitment to Indigenous Rights and Climate Justice
In June 2024, Hayakawa graduated magna cum laude from Williams College, earning the institution’s highest honors in Global Studies for his thesis on the global Indigenous rights movement. His research reflects a deep and abiding commitment to Indigenous sovereignty, which he sees as inextricably linked to the fight against climate change. Hayakawa has worked with the Stockbridge-Munsee Mohican Nation, a federally-recognized tribe, as well as with international organizations like the UN Environment Programme and the Ecologic Institute. These experiences have given him a global perspective on the intersection of climate justice and Indigenous rights—an intersection that Hayakawa passionately advocates for in his work.
