Climate Change And Hawaii

The Hawaiian Islands are an archipelago of eight major islands, several atolls, numerous smaller islets, and seamounts in the North Pacific Ocean.  The islands are a world-renowned vacation spot, known for their white-sand beaches, lush flora, and near perfect weather.  But stormier days may be ahead. 

According to a report from the University of Hawaii’s Sea Grant program, Hawaii (as it is now) may be unrecognizable in the coming years as climate change makes the region hotter, drier, stormier, and more disease-ridden.  As a result, tourism – an industry responsible for most of Hawaii’s annual revenue — might all but vanish.

Climate change is projected to affect Hawaii in all sorts of ways.  Among them, higher average temperatures will cause an uptick in heat-related illnesses in people (like dengue fever or cholera).  A decrease in trade winds will disrupt rainfall patterns, creating periods of drought and heavy rain and flooding.  Warmer, more acidic ocean water will cause massive coral bleaching and marine migration.  But the most obvious change will be the rise in sea levels.

The report projects the seas around Hawaii to rise 1-to-3 feet (and possibly even more) by 2100.  This means most of Waikiki and its famous beach would either be underwater or highly eroded.  Charles Fletcher, a geology professor at the University of Hawaii who contributed to the report, told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser that by the end of the century, he “would be surprised if Waikiki Beach is still there.”

The report lists several ways Hawaiians can influence change, including conserving water, preserving and restoring natural habitats, and using land efficiently.

Let’s hope the future isn’t all doom and gloom for this tropical paradise.

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Web Links

Climate Change Will Ruin Hawaii, New Study Suggests

Waikiki Beach Is Totally Man-Made (And Disappearing). Can Hawaii Save It?

Photo, posted October 11, 2013, courtesy of Keith Roper via Flickr.

‘Climate Change and Hawaii’ from Earth Wise is a production of WAMC Northeast Public Radio.