Hawaiʻi’s vulnerable coastal communities must plan for adapting to the impacts of sea level rise, groundwater inundation, and coastal erosion. Comprehensive and feasible adaptation and resilience actions are required to safeguard the State’s critical assets in sea level rise exposure areas. Any effective strategy must be attuned to those who live and work in affected communities. Residents, property owners, businesses, and others must be involved in the adaptation and resilience planning and decision-making process.

The goal of this project is to develop a framework and lay the groundwork for a future Waikīkī adaptation and resilience plan that addresses the projected impacts of climate change and sea level rise in the Waikīkī Special District and beyond.

Project work includes the development of strategies for effective subject matter expert and community outreach, engagement, and visioning to solicit and understand feedback on priorities and concerns; the analysis of relevant precedent initiatives in other jurisdictions; the inventory and analysis of current and projected conditions as well as relevant existing plans and proposals for Waikīkī and its context; assessing nature-based solutions, as appropriate, and other urban design strategies for long-term sea level rise and coastal flood adaptation; development of initial sketch visions/alternatives for long-term adaptation design approaches to protect Waikīkī; and a conceptual implementation roadmap, including an initial timeline for potential adaptation measures and action triggers.

Client: State of Hawai‘i Office of Planning and Sustainable Development
Principal Investigator: Judith Stilgenbauer ASLA
Co-Investigator: Cathi Ho Schar FAIA
Project Staff: Emily Sobolewski Knight ASLA, Research Associate
Student Project Assistants: Alzira Fernandes, Zoe Angelopulo, Kiana Dai, Kenneth Morrow, Sierra Spears
Project Partners: UH Sea Grant College Program
UH SG Co-Investigators: Dolan Eversole and Dr. Darren Lerner
UH SG Project Staff: Dr. Brad Romine, Melanie Lander
Course Integration: ARCH 743 Spring 2022, ARCH 743 Spring 2023
Timeframe: January 2023 - May 2024