The 2017 Hawaiʻi Sea Level Rise Vulnerability and Adaptation Report demonstrates that sea level rise will threaten the safety, resources, and infrastructure of coastal community in Hawaiʻi County. The Report estimates that Hawaiʻi County will lose $430 million due to infrastructure and land loss (not including public facilities), in part because 20% of the areas forecasted to be inundated are urban. Likewise, climate change is forecasted to increase the severity of hurricanes and flooding.

Climate change impacts will affect the most vulnerable ecosystems (forests and marine), key economic sectors (agriculture, fishing and transportation), and populations with some of the highest poverty rates, lowest median income and highest socio-economic needs.

See the Hawaiʻi Climate Adaptation Portal for more information about climate change in Hawaiʻi. Additional information about climate change and its impacts is available in the Fourth National Climate Assessment and the 2018 report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

County of Hawaiʻi Climate Action: Greenhouse Gas Mitigation & Climate Change Adaptation

Mayor Roth understands and supports the County's state-mandated obligation to transition to 100% renewable power generation and net carbon neutrality by 2045. He has joined the mayors of the other three counties in committing to the Paris Climate Change Agreement and in establishing a goal of 100% renewable transportation by 2045.

Mayor Roth is committed to building community resiliency as the County plans for and implements measures in mitigation and adaptation for the adverse effects of climate change, such as sea level rise, rising sea and air temperatures, drought, more frequent and severe storms, and other impacts that threaten native ecosystems, infrastructure and island economic systems. 

Department of Research & Development Climate Action

Mayor Rothʻs focus on sustainability includes R&D initiatives to address climate change:

• The Department recently completed the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory Report for 2017. The 2015 and 2017 inventories serve as a basis for understanding emissions trends and where to prioritize mitigation and adaptation efforts in the Countyʻs Climate Action Plan.
• Develop and implement a Climate Action Plan that is aligned with the Countyʻs Greenhouse Gas Emissions targets in collaboration with the Department of Planning through an International Council of Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) Integrated Climate Action Planning Cohort process. which is aligned with the County's GHG targets. Partner with Hawaiʻi Energy,  Hawaiian Electric, and Hawaiʻi Gas to optimize energy efficiency and cost savings in County facilities.
• Collaborate to advance the electrification of transportation as a member of Drive Electric Hawaiʻi and the Sustainable Transportation Coalition of Hawaiʻi.
• Intervene in related dockets of the Public Utilities Commission (PUC), like Integrated Grid Planning, Electrification of Transportation, and Performance-Based Ratemaking.
• Represent the County on the state Greenhouse Gas Sequestration Task Force, which is exploring economic opportunities in carbon markets.

Other County Climate Action

Several other departments are also leading climate change initiatives. To reduce GHG emissions, the Mass Transit Agency is pursuing grant funding to pilot zero emission buses (ZEBs), the Department of Public Works is advancing the adoption of an updated energy code, and the Department of Water Supply has staff and a program devoted to energy conservation, efficiency, and cost reduction.

To advance climate planning, the Planning Department is integrating climate change adaptation strategies into the General Plan, and the Planning Director represents the County on the State Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission. Likewise, the Civil Defense Agency plans to incorporate climate adaptation strategies into the Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan. From there, it is likely that climate adaptation measures will be implemented through the flood control, subdivision, and zoning codes as well as the coastal zone management and the capital improvements programs.

The County Announces the Release of the Integrated Climate Action Plan

The ICAP is a cross-departmental effort that charts the County's responsibility to reduce its contribution to global climate change and make its services and facilities resilient to the effects of a changing climate. The ICAP identifies actions the County can take and will be used as a tool to hold the County accountable for climate action.

Climate action includes co-benefits including reducing electricity cost; producing energy supply on-island through renewable alternative to fossil fuels; providing accessible, equitable public mobility; reducing and repurposing waste streams on the island; and expanding conservation and preservation of natural areas and cultural resources. The Climate Action Plan increases the County's commitment to deliver equitable solutions to improving our community's health, wellness, and economic resiliency.

The County published the final Integrated Climate Action Plan on June 30, 2023 after accepting public feedback from May 1, 2023, to June 1, 2023. The document is available below:

Integrated Climate Action Plan

The Hawai'i County Climate Hazard Viewer Tool is a GIS mapping tool developed as part of the Integrated Climate Action Plan. The Tool can be used to map the risk of climate change-related hazards across the island. The Tool also maps which areas are most vulnerable to compounding hazards, such as those which are prone to drought and high winds and therefore wildfires. You can view the hazard exposure of County structures or your own property by entering your address in the Tool. The County is using this Tool to help identify at-risk structures to be updated or moved. The Tool is available at this link. 

Hawaiʻi Climate Data Portal

The Hawaiʻi Climate Data Portal provides easy access to high-quality climate data, information and products allowing researchers to focus more time on their analyses and less time on data collection and processing. It also provides the broader community with access to information that would otherwise be inaccessible due to technical limitations. Finally, centralizing data and information helps to create a more holistic environment for environmental stewardship in Hawai‘i.

U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit

The U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit is a website designed to help people find and use tools, information, and subject matter expertise to build climate resilience. The Toolkit offers information from all across the U.S. federal government in one easy-to-use location.

The goal is to improve people’s ability to understand and manage their climate-related risks and opportunities, and to help them make their communities and businesses more resilient to extreme events.

This inter-agency initiative operates under the auspices of the United States Global Change Research Program. The site is managed by NOAA’s Climate Program Office and is hosted by NOAA’s Web Operation Center.

Fourth National Climate Assessment, Chapter 27: Hawaiʻi and U.S.-Affiliated Pacific Islands

Chapter 27: HAWAIʻI AND U.S.-AFFILIATED PACIFIC ISLANDS

The Global Change Research Act of 1990 mandates that the U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) deliver a report to Congress and the President no less than every four years that “1) integrates, evaluates, and interprets the findings of the Program…; 2) analyzes the effects of global change on the natural environment, agriculture, energy production and use, land and water resources, transportation, human health and welfare, human social systems, and biological diversity; and 3) analyzes current trends in global change, both human-induced and natural, and projects major trends for the subsequent 25 to 100 years.”

The Fourth National Climate Assessment (NCA4) fulfills that mandate in two volumes. This report, Volume II, draws on the foundational science described in Volume I, the Climate Science Special Report (CSSR). Volume II focuses on the human welfare, societal, and environmental elements of climate change and variability for 10 regions and 18 national topics, with particular attention paid to observed and projected risks, impacts, consideration of risk reduction, and implications under different mitigation pathways. Where possible, NCA4 Volume II provides examples of actions underway in communities across the United States to reduce the risks associated with climate change, increase resilience, and improve livelihoods.

This assessment was written to help inform decision-makers, utility and natural resource managers, public health officials, emergency planners, and other stakeholders by providing a thorough examination of the effects of climate change on the United States.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory Update

The County of Hawaiʻi released an update to the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory reflecting 2017 data. The purpose of this inventory is to help us understand Hawaiʻi Island emissions, identify and prioritize sector specific carbon mitigation and reduction strategies, and aid as a benchmark to gauge progress.

To develop the inventory, the County gathered the most current and complete data from government sources and used the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) ClearPath tool to calculate emissions.

View the summary and full report here:

Summary

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory for 2017

 

Emissions Projection Tool

The County of Hawaiʻi partnered with U-H Hilo undergraduate students Dason Albano, Ka'imi Beatty, Ryp Ring, and Allan Simeon, Jr. to create a greenhouse gas emissions projection tool. The interactive tool explains different sources of emissions on Hawai'i Island and shows the impact of renewable forms of energy and transportation to reduce those emissions. 

View the tool and make your own emissions projections here: Emissions Projection Tool

County Sustainability Summit

In March 2021, Mayor Roth hosted the first Hawaiʻi County Sustainability Summit. Among the keynote addresses and breakout sessions focused on UN Sustainable Develoment Goals was a final session hosted by Hawaiʻi Green Growth, a United Nations Local2030 hub, and moderated by Kate Brown involving island leaders from around the world. Several are members of the Global Island Partnership (GLISPA.org), including the County of Hawaiʻi.

Since December 2020, the County of Hawaiʻi has been working on several sustainability initiatives, to include bringing Electrification of Transportation to our Mass Transit and other departmental fleets, partnering with our electric utility and independent power producers to address renewable energy opportunities, and working with Hawaiʻi Island agricultural coalition members to apply for a significant Build Back Better Regional Challenge grant, and updating the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory with information from 2017.

Sustainability Summit Listening Sessions

During the run-up to he County of Hawaiʻi Sustainability Summit Held March 4-5, 2021, the Department of Research & Development conducted in-person listening sessions with members of the public from 14 different communitiees located around Hawaiʻi Island. The listening sessions provided opportunities for community members to address questions having to do with current and future sustainability issues, as well prioritize actions that should be taken to address the most challenging sustainability concerns. The listing sessions report was developed by extraordinarily gifted AmeriCorps VISTA volunteers, who were present at each of the sessions.

 

County of Hawaiʻi Sustainability Survey

The Mayorʻs Office has announced a save the date for the County of Hawaiʻi Sustainability Summit on March 4 - 5, 2021. In advance of the Summit, we want to hear your voice!  Please take a few minutes to complete the County of Hawaiʻi Sustainability Survey.

Hawai‘i County Sustainability Initiatives

In 2017, Hawai‘i County joined the Climate Mayors network to uphold the Paris Agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, hold global warming to 1.5 degrees C, and accelerate the transition to a clean energy economy that benefits our people’s security, prosperity, and health.

In December 2017, Mayor Kim joined with the other Hawai‘i counties in a pledge to transform transportation by signing a Proclamation of Commitment to 100% Renewable Ground Transportation by 2045. This would ensure that all public and private ground transportation is fueled by renewable energy by 2045. Additionally, the County of Hawai‘i pledged to lead by example and establish a goal of having 100 percent renewable-powered city fleet by 2035. Click each link for the following supporting documents and information:  Research and Development’s Alignment with Sustainability Action Committee Goals, and County of Hawaii Transportation Initiatives. 

In October of 2019, the Hawai‘i County Council passed Resolution 322-19 declaring a Hawai‘i County climate emergency and requesting regional collaboration towards an immediate, just transition and emergency mobilization effort to restore a safe climate. 

The County of Hawai‘i completed the 2015 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Inventory Report in January 2020, which was developed to serve as a basis for understanding emissions trends and where to prioritize reduction efforts in a County Climate Action Plan.

Following the GHG Inventory, the first draft of the County of Hawai‘i Climate Action Plan was released for public comment. This document is the next step forward for Hawai‘i County to reach its Greenhouse Gas emissions goals, and to protect the health and safety of our communities. Implementing the actions and strategies outlined in this plan will enable Hawai‘i Island to become more sustainable and self-reliant, while embracing its role in mitigating global climate change. 

In March 2020, the Hawai‘i County Council passed Bill 142 to amend Chapter 2, Article 8, Section 2-37 of the Hawai‘i County Code 1983 (2016 edition, as amended), relating to the Department of Research and Development’s Sustainability Action Committee. The amendment includes climate change in the subjects to which the committee can advise on. It also includes environmental science as a basis on which a member can serve on the committee. Additionally, the County Council was provided with more information on the Department of Research and Developments alignment with the Sustainability Action Committee. 

In July 2020, the County of Hawai‘i signed on to the Climate Mayors Congressional Letter delivered to leaders in D.C. advocating a zero-carbon green economy that creates good-paying jobs and prioritizes equity.

New Hawaiʻi County Climate Action Simulation

Are you interested in experiencing the realities and opportunities of climate action with your friends, family, and neighbors in a fun interactive way?

The Hawaiʻi County Climate Action Simulation is an interactive, game-like activity that simulates island-specific effects of and solutions to climate change. In the simulation, each player becomes a real-life character possessing special abilities to reduce emissions and limitations that would ordinarily prevent the character from reducing emissions. Players work together on a board game to make Hawaiʻi County carbon neutral through pono practices by 2045.

Gather a group of eight players and we will help you host your very own simulation by providing materials and facilitation in the place of your choosing in Hawaiʻi County. Complete this online request form and we will contact you with the details and schedules.

Feel free to contact us at sustainability@hawaiicounty.gov.