To kick off an important year-long project on climate resilience in the Waiʻanae area, the Waiʻanae Readiness Review held its first community meeting on April 29. This event took place at Kamehameha Schools’ Kaiāulu Community Learning Center in Māʻili. The initiative is led by the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Climate Resilience Collaborative (CRC), directed by Chip Fletcher. The project also partners with the UH Mānoa Wildfire Research team and the Resilience Office of the City and County of Honolulu.
In Fletcher’s words, “We are honored to stand with the people of Waiʻanae. Climate resilience can’t be defined from the outside; it needs to grow with communities and researchers working together.” He emphasized the importance of local knowledge, stating that the experiences of families and leaders in Waiʻanae are crucial for understanding the area’s climate hazards. Their insights will guide actions to protect the community and the environment.
Discussing Climate Hazards
During the meeting, CRC researcher Kayla Yamamoto spoke about the risk of compound flooding. She encouraged residents to share their photos and experiences with flooding to support scientific research. Participants also discussed the biggest challenges faced in the district.
The review is organized into two committees made up of community members, farmers, government officials, and experts. These groups will meet several times over the year. They’ll provide valuable thoughts and expertise to shape the project.
The CRC and the UH Wildfire team are creating climate projections specifically for Waiʻanae. These projections will focus on heat, flooding, erosion, and wildfire risks. With wildfires presenting a significant threat, the priority is not just to identify danger zones but to find ways to address these risks effectively.
Over 90 people attended the meeting, which began with a pule (blessing) from Nohea Stevens. Presentations from Fletcher, Clay Trauernicht, Captain White from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, and Susan Veazy highlighted the funding origins and future goals of the project. They aim to secure more resources for priority initiatives in the region.
What’s Next?
In today’s world, climate change is a pressing issue. According to recent research from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), rising temperatures and sea levels are increasingly affecting coastal areas like Waiʻanae.
This project seeks to enhance community resilience. It reflects a broader trend of involving local voices in climate discussions, a shift emphasized by experts in environmental science. Communities are being recognized for their essential role in addressing climate issues alongside researchers and policymakers.
For more information, you can visit the SOEST website.
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