Due to our concentrated shoreline development and our remote location in the central Pacific, we are vulnerable to impacts from both shoreline erosion and sea level rise. These issues are a growing concern here on O’ahu.
According to the O’ahu Resilience Strategy Report, since 1949, about 25% of O’ahu’s sandy beaches have narrowed or been completely lost to artificial hardening (seawalls) of the shoreline, 5.5 miles of O’ahu beaches have been completely lost to erosion, and at least 60% of O’ahu beaches are currently in a state of chronic erosion.This chronic erosion has impacts on private property, public infrastructure, coastal access, and more. The Hawai‘i Sea Level Rise Vulnerability and Adaptation Report indicates that O’ahu will see 3.2 feet of sea level rise over the next several decades, which will have devastating impacts economically, on our residents including property loss, and infrastructure damage.
The City and County of Honolulu continues to discuss a variety of solutions related to both shoreline erosion and sea level rise. The Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) continues to work with UH Manoa Sea Grant and the City’s Office for Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency on updating ordinances related to shoreline setbacks. The DPP has also been using sea level rise data in its permit-related decision making and long-term planning. The City is currently discussing updating the Ko’olauloa and North Shore Sustainable Communities Plan. The impacts of shoreline erosion and sea level rise are of top concern to O’ahu’s local government. HBR and its City Affairs Committee (CAC) believe that REALTORS should be part of the discussion with our local officials to assist in providing REALTORS® expertise to ensure the best interest of our members and their clients are considered in future solutions.
This is an issue that will impact our members, their clients, and all residents on O’ahu. HBR and CAC will develop a Task Group to focus on both shoreline erosion and sea level rise.
Purpose: To prepare CAC-HBR participation in City and community discussion on policy, regulations, and rules as it relates to shoreline erosion. The Task Group will make recommendations to CAC on policies and/or positions that meet the CAC purpose and HBR’s position statement related to shoreline erosion, and the threat to homeowner properties.
Duties: Engage with the City’s Office of Climate Change, the University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program, State DLNR, and others to learn the science of sea level rise impacts on Oahu shoreline erosion. The Task Group will also develop and strategize HBR's position recommendation to CAC, monitor, engage, and participate in Sustainability Community Plans and processes.
To ensure we have the full scope of concerns and relevant information, we want to hear from our members. To provide your insights and express your possible interest, take our survey!
More information:
- View recording: Samuel J. Lemmo from the Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands speaks at the HBR North Shore’s Regional Group meeting
- View O’ahu Resilience Strategy
- View interactive sea level rise map
