commission meetings

State Documents

DocumentSummaryReference
Hawai`i Sea Level Rise Vulnerability and Adaptation Report 2022 UpdateThis document contains updates to the Sea Level Rise Adaptation 2021 Annual Report as is mandated by Act 178. It includes progress made toward sea level rise adaptation goals and recommends focus areas for the next 5 years.Hawai’i Sea Level Rise Vulnerability and Adaptation Report 2022 Update (2022). Prepared by the Hawai’i Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, the University of Hawai`i Sea Grant College Program, and the Climate Resilience Collaborative at the University of Hawaiʻi School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology.
Act 178 Relating to Sea Level Rise Adaptation: 2021 Annual ReportThis report contains activities and progress related to the implementation of Act 178 Relating to Sea Level Rise Adaptation. It includes a discussion on an initial state facility inventory and exposure assessment, considerations for future assessments, and recommendations for next steps.Act 178 Relating to Sea Level Rise Adaptation: 2021 Annual Report (2021). Prepared by the Hawaiʻi Office of Planning and Sustainable Development and the Hawaiʻi Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism
HDOT: Hawaii Highways Climate Adaptation Action Plan: Exposure Assessments (2021)This document is one of two resources that outlines the potential threats from climate change to Hawai‘i Highways. This Plan is a companion to the online mapping platform maintained on HDOT’s website to enable the review of climate threats at a level of detail not possible in printed form. That site is located at: https://hidot.hawaii.gov/ as this exposure assessment document goes with the accompanying web map viewer.HDOT: Hawaiʻi Highways Climate Adaptation Action Plan: Exposure Assessments (2021). Prepared by the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation Highways Division.
HDOT: Hawaii Highways Climate Adaptation Action Plan: Strategies for a More Resilient Future (2021)This document is one of two resources that outlines the potential threats from climate change to Hawai‘i Highways. This report contains 36 thematic recommendations mainly focused on programs, partnerships, and data. These recommendations are documented in Appendix A of the Climate Adaptation Action Plan.HDOT: Hawaiʻi Highways Climate Adaptation Action Plan: Strategies for a More Resilient Future (2021). Prepared by the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation Highways Division.
Risks of Sea Level Rise and Increased Flooding on Known Chemical Contamination in Hawaiʻi (updated June 2021)This memorandum discusses potential environmental concerns posed by anticipated increased flooding, groundwater inundation and disruption of contaminated lands in coastal areas due to climate change and rising sea levels.Risks of Sea Level Rise and Increased Flooding on Known Chemical Contamination in Hawaiʻi (updated June 2021) (2021) Felton, D. and van der Zander, I. Prepared by the Hazard Evaluation and Emergency Response Office, Department of Health.
Nature-Based Resilience and Adaptation to Climate Change in Hawaiʻi: A Climate Ready Hawaiʻi Working Paper (2021)While Climate Ready Hawai‘i initially focused on sea level rise (SLR) impacts, it became clear that this document must tackle mauka-makai (coastal and landward) issues, and so, go beyond vulnerability to infrastructure to fully address climate change impacts in Hawai‘i. This Working Paper highlights actions in Hawai‘i that rely on nature-based “green-blue” strategies to adapt to and mitigate climate change. It identifies ongoing efforts in the state, and key action areas for next steps that enhance climate readiness. We hope this document will be used by decision makers, planners, communities, businesses, and scientists as a guide for climate change resiliency work in Hawai‘i.Nature-Based Resilience and Adaptation to Climate Change in Hawaiʻi: A Climate Ready Hawaiʻi Working Paper (2021) Prepared by the Hawaiʻi Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission.
Guidance for Addressing Sea Level Rise in Community Planning in Hawai’i (2020)This guidance report assists local government planners to integrate sea level rise adaptation plans and policies into state, county, and community plans. This document considers science-based information and adaptation actions to address coastal hazards with sea level rise to make coastal communities more resilient and sustainable. Check out their project page HERE. Guidance for Addressing Sea Level Rise in Community Planning in Hawai’i (2020) Prepared by Tetra Tech, Inc. for the University of Hawai’i Sea Grant College Program and State of Hawai’i Department of Land and Natural Resources and Office of Planning. Funding from Office for Coastal Management, NOAA.
Guidance for Using the Sea Level Rise Exposure Area in Local Planning and Permitting Decisions (2020)A supplement to the Hawaii Sea Level Rise Vulnerability and Adaptation Report and the Hawaii Sea Level Rise Viewer. Intended to assist state and county planners, natural resource and infrastructure managers, and others on utilizing the Sea Level Rise Exposure Area (SLR-XA) from the Report and Finder in day to day planning and permitting decisions.Guidance for Using the Sea Level Rise Exposure Area in Local Planning and Permitting Decisions (2020) Hawaiʻi Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, prepared by the University of Hawai’i Sea Grant College Program with the Hawai’i Department of Land and Natural Resources, Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands.
2018 State of Hawaiʻi Hazard Mitigation Plan (2018)
Includes expanded considerations of climate change and sea level rise hazards for the State, incorporating data from the Hawaiʻi Sea Level Rise Vulnerability and Adaptation Report, Hawaiʻi Sea Level Rise Viewer, and elsewhere.
2018 State of Hawaiʻi Hazard Mitigation Plan (2018) Prepared by Tetra Tech for the Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency.
Assessing the Feasibility and Implications of Managed Retreat Strategies For Vulnerable Coastal Areas in Hawaiʻi: Final Report (2019)An in-depth look at strategies for shifting urban centers from vulnerable coastal areas in Hawaiʻi. The report contains background research on managed retreat and profiles areas in Hawaiʻi that need it most due to sea level rise and other coastal hazards.Assessing the Feasibility and Implications of Managed Retreat Strategies For Vulnerable Coastal Areas in Hawaiʻi: Final Report (2019) NOAA, CZM Hawaiʻi, SSFM International
Guidance for Disaster Recovery Preparedness in Hawaiʻi (2019)This guide seeks to help residents become more resilient in the face of natural disasters, like tropical storms, which are predicted to occur more frequently and become more intense as a result of climate change.Guidance for Disaster Recovery Preparedness in Hawaiʻi (2019) Courtney, C.A; Gelino, K; Romine, B.M.; Hintzen, K.D.; Addonizio-Bianco, C.; Owens, T.M.; Lander, M.; and Buika, J. Prepared by Tetra Tech, Inc. for the University of Hawai’i Sea Grant College Program and State of Hawai’i Department of Land and Natural Resources and Office of Planning. Funding from Office for Coastal Management, NOAA.
Hawaiʻi Ocean Resources Management Plan: Collaborative coastal zone management from mauka to makai (2020)A guide to long-term coastal zone management planning in Hawaiʻi, with reference to preserving heritage, promoting stewardship, and preparing for sea level rise and other climate change impacts.Hawaiʻi Ocean Resources Management Plan: Collaborative coastal zone management from mauka to makai (2020) CZM Hawaiʻi
Hawaiʻi Sea Level Rise Viewer (2018)This interactive tool is intended to provide an online atlas to support the Hawaiʻi Sea Level Rise Vulnerability and Adaptation Report and provide map data depicting projections for future hazard exposure and assessing economic and other vulnerabilities due to rising sea levels.Hawaiʻi Sea Level Rise Viewer (2018) Department of Land and Natural Resources, State of Hawaiʻi Climate Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, NOAA, University of Hawai’i Sea Grant College Program.
Hawaiʻi Sea Level Rise Vulnerability and Adaptation Report (2017)This report provides the first state-wide assessment of Hawaii’s vulnerability to sea level rise and recommendations to reduce our exposure and sensitivity to sea level rise and increase our capacity to adapt.Hawaiʻi Sea Level Rise Vulnerability and Adaptation Report (2017) Hawaiʻi Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, Prepared by Tetra Tech, Inc. and the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources, Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands, under the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources.
State of Hawaiʻi Statewide Coastal Highway Program Report (2019)An assessment of Hawaii’s roads and highways in vulnerable coastal areas. A central focus is the costs of coastal erosion and road degradation brought on by sea level rise impacts.State of Hawaiʻi Statewide Coastal Highway Program Report (2019) Oceana Francis, Ph.D., P.E., Horst Brandes, Ph.D., P.E., Guohui Zhang, Ph.D., David Ma, Ph.D. State of Hawaii Department of Transportation Highways Division

County Documents

DocumentSummaryReference
Climate Change and Sea Level Rise Technical Resource Paper (2018)Discusses the current and expected future impacts of climate change, key challenges for residents and businesses in West Maui, and potential strategies to consider implementing during the West Maui Community Plan update.Climate Change and Sea Level Rise Technical Resource Paper (2018) University of Hawai’i Sea Grant College Program.
Oʻahu Resilience Strategy (2019)A strategy for building a resilient Oʻahu based on four pillars: Improving equity, natural disaster preparedness, climate security, and fostering community cohesion.Oʻahu Resilience Strategy (2019) City and County of Honolulu, Resilient Oʻahu, 100 Resilient Cities.
West Kauaʻi Community Vulnerability Assessment (2020)The product of work with local west side communities that sought to identify vulnerabilities and generate ideas for adapting to climate change. Recommendations for the West Kauaʻi Community Plan, a separate, but related process, were also generated.West Kauaʻi Community Vulnerability Assessment (2020) University of Hawaiʻi Sea Grant College Program

City Documents

DocumentSummaryReference
Climate Change Brief (2018) This brief describes the local, regional, and global impacts of climate change as documented by peer-reviewed scientific literature and credible empirical data sources. It provides a benchmark for the commission, attesting to the Climate Change Commission’s concerns, underpinning the Commission’s decisions and recommendations, and serving to inform those the Commission serves.Climate Change Brief (2018) City and County of Honolulu Office of Climate Change, Sustainability, and Resiliency.
Climate Ready O’ahu Web ExplorerThis mapping tool features data from the City, state, and federal governments and represents best available science for a variety of climate change stressors and other regulatory layers on O‘ahu.Climate Ready O’ahu Web Explorer, City and County of Honolulu Office of Climate Change, Sustainability, and Resiliency.
Sea Level Rise and Climate Change: Final White Paper (2018)A topical white paper summarizing critical trends, data, and preliminary recommendations for sea level rise and climate change adaptation in urban Honolulu.Sea Level Rise and Climate Change: Final White Paper (2018) Primary Urban Center Development Plan, University of Hawai’i Sea Grant College Program.
Sea Level Rise Guidance (2018)This report builds on findings in the Hawaiʻi Sea Level Rise Vulnerability and Adaptation Report (2017), Sweet et al. (2017), USGCRP (2017), Sweet et al. (2018), and other scientific literature to provide specific policy and planning guidance on responding to sea level rise by the City.Sea Level Rise Guidance (2018) City and County of Honolulu Office of Climate Change, Sustainability, and Resiliency.
Shoreline Setback Guidance: ROH Ch. 23 (2019)Mayor Caldwell requested that the Commission provide guidance on new shoreline regulations and rules. In response, this document provides recommendations for amending the Revised Ordinances of Honolulu 1990 (ROH), Chapter 23, “Shoreline Setbacks.”Shoreline Setback Guidance: ROH Ch. 23 (2019) City and County of Honolulu Office of Climate Change, Sustainability, and Resiliency.