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Heartbreaking news for Hawaii’s Waikiki beach

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Recent climate reports predict that one of Hawaii’s most famous beaches - Waikiki - is at risk of being underwater within the next 15-20 years due to rising sea levels. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The 2017 Hawaii Climate Commission noted that data shows “Honolulu is expected to begin seeing regular flooding of the urban core in as little as 15 years."</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This detrimental loss can mean $2 billion decline in annual revenue and if hurricanes hit the beloved island then damage could be in the tens of billions. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The state’s Senate and House of Representatives are hoping to pass a measure that will create a “climate protection pilot project” for the mesmerising Honolulu shoreline that is desperately in danger. </span></p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B0o8rXZBnx3/" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B0o8rXZBnx3/" target="_blank">A post shared by Kathy Manzella (@kathymanzella)</a> on Aug 1, 2019 at 4:28pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The project, ‘HB 1478’  would address the threat of "sea level rise, floodwater, storms, and other impacts of a rapidly changing climate."</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The bill will also aim to begin research into creating a carbon tax. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">While the beautiful island is under threat and is extremely vulnerable to the rising sea levels, stronger storm surges and higher tides - lawmakers are pushing for change and taking action. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Rep. Chris Lee, Democratic legislator said he and other colleagues are teaching other state leaders about Hawaii’s issues and are helping to create policies to resist the negative impacts the country are facing. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"We've worked with a dozen states going down this pathway," he said.</span></p>

Cruising

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Why Hawaii’s Waikiki Beach could soon be underwater

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Hawaii’s islands and the iconic Waikiki Beach is under threat due to rising sea levels caused by climate change.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">State politicians have predicted that Honolulu will start experiencing frequent flooding within the next 15 to 20 years and are working hard to pass legislation that includes a coastline protection program.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This program would cost millions of dollars and is aimed at defending the city from regular tidal inundations.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The highest tides of recent years have sent seawater flowing across Waikiki Beach and onto roads and footpaths.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Naturally, this is an alarming scenario for a state that makes its money from beach tourism.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The latest data on sea level rise is quite scary and it’s accelerating faster than we ever thought possible,” said state Representative Chris Lee, a Democrat and lead author of a bill calling for the creation and implementation of the shoreline protection plan.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The loss of coastal property and infrastructure, increased cost for storm damage and insurance, and loss of life are inevitable if nothing is done, which will add a significant burden to local taxpayers, the state’s economy, and way of life,” says Lee’s bill.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The bill proposes sinking $USD4 million ($AUD5.6 million) into the program’s development over the next two years.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The push for action comes after a state-mandated sea level rise adaptation report was made public. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Research from the report suggested that Hawaii will see a 0.9 metre rise in ocean levels by the end of this century. The research also predicted that more than 6,000 of the state’s buildings and 20,000 people across the islands of Hawaii will experience chronic flooding.</span></p>

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