David Y. Ige

HONOLULU — The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) will be holding two public information meetings on Hawaii island this month on sea level rise vulnerability and adaptation. The first meeting will take place in Hilo this week on Thursday, August 17, 2017, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Aupuni Center Conference Room, located at 101 Pauahi Street.

The second meeting will be on Tuesday, August 22, 2017, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the County of Hawai‘i, West Hawai‘i Civic Center Council Chambers, located at 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway in Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i.

DLNR is holding a series of public information meetings statewide to educate people about the impacts of sea level rise and to gather comments and input about key issues and concerns regarding preparedness and adaptation. Previous meetings have been held on O‘ahu in June 2016, in January on Kaua‘i, and in March on Maui.

Climate change has the potential to profoundly impact our wellbeing and way of life. In particular, rising sea levels will increase the occurrence and severity of coastal erosion and flooding, threatening coastal communities and natural resources concentrated along low-lying shores.

“We are in the process of developing a Sea Level Rise Vulnerability and Adaptation Report (SLR Report) that is to be submitted in anticipation of the 2018 Hawaii State Legislature, and we are interested in soliciting input from our island communities to help us complete the report,” said DLNR Chair Suzanne Case.

“This SLR Report is the first state-wide assessment of the impacts of sea level rise on our coastal areas. Using the best available scientific knowledge and local experience, it will help us prepare for future sea level rise and present recommendations to reduce our exposure to SLR hazards such as erosion and extreme flooding,” said Sam Lemmo, co-chair of the Interagency Climate Adaptation Committee.

Anyone with special needs requiring accommodations or assistance, is asked to please contact OCCL at least four days prior to the public meeting. For more information contact the Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands at (808) 587-0377 or visit the OCCL website at https://climateadaptation.hawaii.gov/.

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