HB1621

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the sea level is rising at increasing rates due to global warming of the atmosphere and oceans and the corresponding melting of glaciers and ice sheets. Due to climate change, Hawaii has experienced over half a foot of sea level rise in recent decades. According to research from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, a large part of the heavily urbanized areas of Honolulu and Waikiki on Oahu are at risk of groundwater inundation—flooding that occurs as groundwater is lifted above the ground surface due to sea level rise. The city and county of Honolulu is expected to begin seeing regular flooding of the urban core in as little as fifteen years.

The legislature further finds that, according to the 2018 Hawaii Sea Level Rise Vulnerability and Adaptation Report, sea level rise, together with projections of stronger and more frequent El Nino events and tropical cyclones in surrounding waters, indicate a growing vulnerability to coastal flooding and erosion for the State. As sea level rise continues accelerating and seas become warmer, the potential impact of a severe disaster grows, and it will be only a matter of time before a significant disaster will impact the State's shoreline communities. A direct hit on urban Honolulu by a major hurricane is estimated to result in a loss of $40,000,000,000 to the State's infrastructure and economy. 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 significant burden to local taxpayers, the State's economy, and Hawaii's way of life.

The legislature also finds that a comprehensive plan, with input and support from shoreline communities, to protect the State's urban shorelines is likely to take over a decade to develop and implement. New York City only began planning for a comprehensive shoreline protection pilot project to prevent future flooding after the city experienced a $19,000,000,000 loss from storm surge flooding from Hurricane Sandy in 2012. As such, it is urgent and prudent that the State begin planning for shoreline protection from climate change now.

Finally, the legislature finds that while many coastal communities are exposed, urban Honolulu's shoreline will be the most challenging to protect. By first establishing a comprehensive shoreline protection pilot project for urban Honolulu and creating a shoreline buffer to reduce the risk and impact of coastal disaster events, this can serve as a model for engaging all neighborhoods in the discussion of protecting communities from climate change, while allowing residents opportunities to expand park space, redevelop the urban landscape, and add amenities to enrich their communities.

The purpose of this Act is to establish the Honolulu shoreline climate protection pilot project to require the Hawaii climate change mitigation and adaptation commission to develop a comprehensive plan to protect urban Honolulu and its shoreline from the impacts of climate change, with the goal of using the plan as a model to protect the State's shorelines from coastal disaster events.

SECTION 2. (a) There is established within the department of land and natural resources for administrative purposes the Honolulu shoreline climate protection pilot project.

(b) Under the pilot program, the Hawaii climate change mitigation and adaptation commission shall develop a coastal protection plan for the low-lying topography of urban Honolulu between the Daniel K. Inouye Honolulu International Airport and Diamond Head State Monument. The plan shall designate in the low-lying topography of urban Honolulu different protection compartments. Each protection compartment shall:

(1) Provide a physically separate flood-protection zone, isolated from flooding in the other compartments;

(2) Provide opportunities for integrated social and community planning processes;

(3) Be connected by a continuous shoreline pathway which may be used for emergency access along the length of the shoreline;

(4) Be built into shoreline parks and the urban landscape;

(5) Be tailored to respond to individual neighborhood topography; and

(6) Be capable of self-reliance in the event that the compartment becomes isolated from another due to climate change.

(c) The Hawaii climate change mitigation and adaptation commission may partner with the city and county of Honolulu office of climate change and resiliency in the development of the plan required pursuant to subsection (b).

(d) The Hawaii climate change mitigation and adaption commission shall submit a report to the legislature on the status of the development of its coastal protection plan pursuant to subsection (b), including any findings, recommendations, and proposed legislation, no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2021.

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $2,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2020-2021 for the Honolulu shoreline climate protection pilot project; provided that no funds shall be released unless half the sum appropriated is matched by the city and county of Honolulu.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of land and natural resources for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2020, and shall be repealed on June 30, 2022.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1621
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020
STATE OF HAWAII