Introduction

Environmental lawyer Antonio A. Oposa, Jr., who served as the Daniel & Maggie Inouye Distinguished Chair of Democratic Ideals in Spring 2015, returned to Honolulu in November 2025 for a series of events hosted by the Environmental Law Program (ELP) during celebrations of the fiftieth founding University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa’s Center for Philippine Studies. Attorney Oposa is internationally recognized for advancing environmental justice through innovative legal strategies and landmark litigation, including Oposa v. Factoran, a Philippine Supreme Court decision which marked the first time a high court recognized the rights of future generations to environmental protection. Attorney Oposa helped shaped the development of international environmental law and continues to advocate for environmental protection by bridging law, art, and community.

During his visit, Attorney Oposa engaged with students, faculty, and community members through conversations, creative gatherings, and reflections on environmental advocacy. William S. Richardson School of Law students Louella Aquino (1L) and Shiloh Corrales Nelson (2L) volunteered in support of these events. Below are their reflections.

Left to right: Prof. David Forman (‘98), Dean Camille Nelson, Tony Oposa

Plein Air Painting in Waiāhole: 

Louella Aquino, a first-year law student, artist, and farmer, invited Attorney Oposa to her family farm in Waiāhole for a session of plein air painting. Plein air painting is the practice of painting outdoors. Artists experience shifting light and shadow, are immersed in the natural elements, and must contend with weather, wind, insects, and changing conditions as part of the creative process.

Louella’s perspective: 

I was already registered to meet Attorney Oposa during the “ELP Friendship and Unity with Nature” student luncheon event later that week, so inviting him to my family’s farm in Waiāhole felt especially meaningful. Before we sat down to paint, Attorney Oposa walked around the farm, identifying plants and fruits that he also grows in the Philippines. Nature is our common ancestor. Having Attorney Oposa, a lawyer who inspires me to pursue environmental law, on the farm with me made the painting session feel like a family reunion. 

I started calling Attorney Oposa “Tito Tony,” as my family had taught me to address elders with respect. During our time painting together, I asked Tito Tony whether he would choose the same career path again: whether he would still become an environmental lawyer, knowing what he knows now. He shared that he would do it all over again and that he would always choose the water, the trees, the bees, and the fish. He also expressed hope that the next generation of environmental lawyers will have even greater success than he did. He believes environmental protection now has greater credibility, and that students entering the field today may face fewer obstacles than those he encountered earlier in his career.

Tony Oposa plein air painting with Louella Aquino (‘28) in Waiāhole.

Friendship and Unity with Nature Lunch 

Another event co-hosted by ELP and Attorney Oposa was the Friendship and Unity with Nature (FUN) Lunch. The gathering featured a display of various artworks Attorney Oposa created. He humbly deflected credit by insisting that an “anonymous” painter was responsible for the pieces. In addition to paintings depicting diverse landscapes, the program included an interactive recap of international cooperation and collective efforts toward environmental unity. The event blended education and creativity, incorporating karaoke and spoken poetry to highlight the spirit of collaboration among nations.

Shiloh’s Perspective:

I was running a bit behind for the Friendship and Unity with Nature lunch, but when I walked into the conference room, I was surprised to see students already on their feet singing along to the lyrics on the screen. Walking into a karaoke session can feel a little intimidating, but the atmosphere was welcoming rather than stressful. Throughout the lunch, there was an inspiring showcase of international cooperation, presented in a way that felt both engaging and uplifting. Overall, the event was wonderful, with strong student turnout (especially from first-year law students) and it was clear that the Environmental Law Program team did an excellent job organizing such a meaningful and memorable gathering.

Honoring Environmental Leadership and Community Dinner

The Environmental Law Program hosted a special dinner at The Pacific Club that brought together faculty, community leaders, and students for an evening of recognition and reflection. The gathering celebrated not only Attorney Tony Oposa, but also several outstanding community leaders whose work reflects a long-term commitment to environmental stewardship and activism. As part of the “Good Stories” program, the Normandy Chair for Peace Honor for Peace on Earth through Peace with the Earth was bestowed on four inspiring changemakers: Emerita Professor Denise Antolini (represented by attorney Diego Rivera ’23) for efforts to promote a First Responder Center across from Sharks Cove; Henry Curtis of Life of the Land for his role in the Hu Hōnua decision, which helped pave the way for youth climate litigation; Dr. Cara Chaudron for educating youth through an innovative sustainability-focused charter school; and retired Associate Justice Michael Wilson for advocating for community aesthetic and environmental interests in a Shoreline Management Area. The evening also featured karaoke and an impressive display of Attorney Oposa’s artwork, blending celebration, creativity, and advocacy in a unique and meaningful way.

Shiloh’s Perspective

Attending this dinner gave me a deeper appreciation for the environmental law and activism community, both in Hawaiʻi and at the international level. Hearing about the work of the honorees and being in a room with people so dedicated to long-term environmental protection and sustainability was both inspiring and eye-opening. The conversations, stories, and overall atmosphere made the field of environmental law feel more personal and impactful, and the evening ultimately helped me see environmental law and advocacy in a new light. 

Left to right: Dr. Cara Chaudron, Diego Rivera (’23), Henry Curtis, Associate Justice Michael Wilson (ret.)

Left to right: Prof. Eduardo Capulong, Becky Gardner (‘06), Prof. Richard Wallsgrove (‘08), Kat Brady, Henry Curtis, Dr. Cara Chaudron, Diego Rivera (‘23), Associate Justice Michael Wilson (ret.), Tony Oposa, Louella Aquino (‘28), Prof. David Forman (‘98), Prof. Lucy Brown (‘18), Shiloh Corrales Nelson (‘27).

A Paintiful Party at Professor Emerita Mari Matsuda’s Home:

To conclude Attorney Oposa’s weeklong visit, Professor Forman and 1L student Louella Aquino organized a “Paintiful Party” at the home of artist and Emerita Professor Mari Matsuda. The theme of the gathering was “A flower, a fruit, a fork, and a friend”—an ode to planting seeds and allowing friendships and ideas to bloom. Still-life stations composed of flowers, fruit, and forks were thoughtfully arranged around Professor Matsuda’s lanai. Students, professors, artists, and lawyers gathered around the stations to paint and talk story. A Filipino-inspired dinner was prepared by Executive Chef RJ Abad of Ilaya Eats.

Louella’s Perspective:

I understand that my lasting memories from law school will not come just from studying in the library, but also from the ways I contribute and give back to the community that has invested in me. I feel deep gratitude to Professor Matsuda and Professor Forman for trusting me to arrange Attorney Oposa’s final event during his weeklong visit. Organizing the Paintiful Party and sharing a farewell dinner for Attorney Oposa at Professor Matsuda’s home was one of the highlights of my first semester in law school.

As a 1L student, prioritizing my doctrinal classes and managing time effectively is paramount, so in the weeks leading up to the Paintiful Party, I remember feeling a little stressed while studying  and being extra intentional with my time because the Paintiful Party took place the week before Rock for Justice (a FUNraiser for Advocates for Public Interest Law) and the long-standing tradition of ETE Bowl. 

As a law student with an art practice rooted in agriculture, on an island where the ethics of love and nature are deeply intertwined, bringing together artists and lawyers who care deeply about land felt especially meaningful. If painting with Tito Tony in the valley, surrounded by mountains and trees, felt like a family reunion, then the Paintiful Party felt like a homecoming. 

Tony Oposa with Professor Emerita Mari Matsuda (‘80) at the Paintiful Party.

Conclusion

Overall, Attorney Oposa’s visit was an extraordinary experience for everyone involved, and each event reflected the Environmental Law Program’s commitment to building community through environmental advocacy. From painting in nature to shared meals, music, and storytelling, the gatherings created space not only to learn about environmental law, but to see its real and lasting impact in people’s lives. For us as students, it was especially meaningful to witness how environmental advocacy connects individuals and communities across generations, cultures, and borders. Experiencing both the local and international dimensions of this work made the field of environmental law feel more tangible, hopeful, and grounded in collective action. Having Attorney Oposa with us was truly an honor, and his visit left a lasting impression on how we understand the role of law in protecting the Earth and the communities who depend on it.