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aerial of Lahaina fire damage
(Photo credit: Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources)

Strategies to enhance Hawaiʻi’s resilience to climate-related disasters are the focus of a new comprehensive policy paper presented by members of the state’s Climate Advisory Team (CAT), who all have ties to the University of Hawaiʻi. The paper, which was released on January 7, emphasizes immediate actions and long-term policies to help prepare the state for future challenges.

According to a statewide survey of more than 600 Hawaiʻi residents conducted by CAT in October 2024, 71% of respondents believe that what happened in Lahaina, Maui could happen in their community, but only 39% think their community is prepared to withstand a natural disaster.

six people headshots
Top row: From left, Chris Benjamin, Denise Antolini, Robin Campaniano and Chip Fletcher. Bottom row: From left, Kawika Riley and Gwen Yamamoto Lau.

One of the paper’s top recommendations is to establish a permanent resilience office to provide the necessary leadership and coordination of a strategic, integrated approach to improve Hawaiʻi’s resilience and preparedness for climate-related disasters.

Hawaiʻi’s geographic isolation, aging infrastructure and increasing exposure to natural disasters mandate that resilience be among our highest priorities as a state,” said Chris Benjamin, the chair of CAT and member of the UH Mānoa Shidler College of Business Advisory Council. “Failure to increase our focus and spending on disaster readiness will jeopardize lives and our economic viability. Countless employees and volunteers at the state, county and community levels are devoted to resilience and we must provide the funding and coordination necessary to ensure their success.”

UH experts and alumni who contributed to the paper include: Denise Antolini, professor of law emerita at the William S. Richardson School of Law; Robin Campaniano, UH Mānoa alumnus and chair of the Shidler College of Business Advisory Council; Chip Fletcher, interim dean of the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology; Kawika Riley, UH alumnus; and Gwen Yamamoto Lau, UH Mānoa alumna.

Other recommendations include:

  • Establishing a new Hawaiʻi Climate Resilience Fund, which would provide financial support for environmental, infrastructure and community resilience projects.
  • Ensuring disaster recovery funds will be available to provide financial assistance to the most vulnerable residents after disasters occur.
  • Supporting, expanding and appropriately resourcing the Office of the State Fire Marshal and related programs such as Firewise.

“The research and recommendations of the CAT as presented in this paper should be a motivation to all of us to take serious, bold action on these issues during the 2025 legislative session,” said Gov. Josh Green, who announced the members of CAT in July 2024. “The magnitude of the work required is sobering, but the recommendations in this policy paper show us a clear path forward for a more disaster-resilient Hawaiʻi.

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