Hikaru Wakeel Hayakawa

Hikaru Wakeel Hayakawa, a Japanese and Caribbean American climate justice activist from the New York Metro Area, is set to graduate from Williams College with a degree in History and minors in Environmental Studies, Global Studies, and Russian. As Deputy Executive Director of Climate Cardinals, an international nonprofit focused on making climate information accessible to non-English speakers, he will become the organization's first full-time executive director. Hikaru aims to attend law school to specialize in international law, focusing on environmental, labor, and human rights, and later return to the nonprofit sector to amplify climate justice.

Hikaru's advocacy journey began after Hurricane Sandy highlighted environmental injustices in his community. Realizing that climate issues affected everyone, he delved into climate education and volunteered for youth-led environmental organizations, joining Climate Cardinals' founding team. The organization addresses the gap in language accessibility for climate information, translating over 2 million words and empowering youth globally as climate educators. Hikaru's role integrates his passions for education, climate advocacy, global cooperation, and equity.

Academically, Hikaru has excelled, maintaining a GPA of 3.99/4.00 at Williams College and 4.00/4.00 at the University of Oxford. Recognized as a top achiever, he was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa and received fellowships from the Oakley Center and Dr. Herschel Smith at Cambridge University. His research on international climate policy and Indigenous rights has been published widely and presented at academic talks. Hikaru's language skills span Spanish, Macedonian, Russian, Bulgarian, Serbian, Bosnian, German, Mandarin Chinese, and Japanese, earning him accolades such as the NJ State Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish.

At Williams, Hikaru engaged in numerous activities focused on social impact. He served on high-level committees, co-founded the Indigenous Studies Work Group, and led fundraising efforts. At Oxford, he was a student government Charities Representative and part of the Green Impact team. His leadership at Climate Cardinals shaped its mission to leverage global youth networks for grassroots climate education, launching Climate Cardinals Chapters and a climate opportunity database, promoting social change by breaking down language barriers and empowering youth.

Hikaru's personal experiences with discrimination and overcoming a stutter fuelled his passion for advocacy. Growing up in a diverse yet segregated community, he faced systemic issues in education, which inspired his involvement in social justice. His parents' immigrant journeys also motivated him to stand up for important issues. Despite initial doubts from educators, Hikaru graduated from high school, attended Williams College, and studied at Oxford. He received offers for fully funded master's programs but chose to focus on Climate Cardinals during a pivotal moment.

Creatively, Hikaru worked with the Stockbridge-Munsee Mohican Nation on restorative justice advocacy, leading volunteer recruitment for archaeological excavations and initiating collaborative projects. He organized an independent study, producing policy recommendations and raising awareness about local Indigenous history. His work fostered a broad coalition and ongoing community engagement.

Hikaru's role in Climate Cardinals has significantly impacted global cooperation, educating and empowering a diverse coalition to tackle the climate crisis. The organization's translation efforts and International Chapters Program have reached millions globally, promoting equitable climate education and localized climate action. Through his leadership, Hikaru has advanced global collaboration on climate issues, embodying the principles of education, equity, and sustainability.