Hawai‘i Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission Launches Campaign to Draw Attention to Sea-Level Rise

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2020 – The Hawai‘i Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, along with the support of the Honolulu Board of Water Supply, is launching a multi-partner, state-wide effort to bring awareness to communities about the impacts of sea level rise: coastal erosion, impacts on public infrastructure, on private property, inland flooding and contamination.

Koloa Iki by Solomon Enos
Koloa Iki © 2020 Solomon Enos

Through the use of a Hawai‘i-relevant mascot, and an accompanying song featuring local artists and other supporters, the Commission hopes to make this information more accessible, understandable and fun.

The Koloa Maoli, is a native Hawaiian duck and is a cousin of the mallard. Koloa Iki (iki is the diminutive) tells us about sea level rise impacts, and where we can expect to see flooding—on the coasts, and inland; not just on rainy days, but even on sunny days.

The mascot, developed by Hawaii’s beloved artist Solomon Enos, who graciously partnered with the state’s Commission and the Board of Water Supply, will bring attention to the impacts of climate change, especially sea level rise, in Hawai‘i. Koloa Iki sings their own song, written by Hawai’i based musicians Mike and Suzanne McCrary.

Koloa Iki will highlight locations that are vulnerable, as depicted by the state’s sea level rise viewer tool. The campaign kicks off on Monday, November 9, 2020 with an accompanying website koloaiki.hawaii.gov which houses a host of activities and information that Koloa Iki has put together for everyone: from a story telling contest, a game and coloring sheets for keiki, to videos of local celebrities singing for sea level rise issues. Other partners have shared their resources to bring the community a site that makes learning about sea level rise/climate change more accessible and fun!

About the State’s Sea Level Rise Report and Viewer Tool:

The State’s Sea Level Rise report (http://climate.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/SLR-Report_Dec2017-with-updated-disclaimer.pdf) was produced by the DLNR’s Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands (OCCL), and the companion mapping viewer tool (https://www.pacioos.hawaii.edu/shoreline/slr-hawaii/) was produced in collaboration with Hawai‘i Sea Grant, DLNR-OCCL, and the Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System (PacIOOS). The Commission accepted both of these resources in December 2017 to bring attention to coastal erosion, inland and coastal flooding, and drainage failure statewide.

About the Commission:

The Hawai‘i Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission “recognizes the urgency of climate threats and the need to act quickly. It promotes ambitious, climate-neutral, culturally responsible strategies for climate change adaptation and mitigation in a manner that is clean, equitable and resilient.” The Commission, established by Act 32 SLH 2017 to uphold the United States’ pledges under the Paris Agreement, is the coordinating body for policies on climate change mitigation and adaptation for the state. It is a high-level multi-jurisdictional body that guides the priorities of the state’s climate response. Co-chaired by DLNR and Office of Planning, the Commission consists of 20 members – chairs of four legislative committees, and executive department heads at the county and state levels. For more information about the work of the Commission, visit climate.hawaii.gov, follow @Hi_Climate on Instagram, or like the Commission’s Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/hiclimate/

About the Honolulu Board of Water Supply:

The Board of Water Supply (BWS), a semi-autonomous agency of the City and County of Honolulu, manages Oahu’s municipal water resources and distribution system.  As the largest water utility in the State, the BWS serves approximately one million customers on Oahu.  The BWS embraces its mission of “Water for Life – Ka Wai Ola”—to provide a safe, dependable, and affordable water supply, now and into the future.  Uwē  ka lani, ola ka honua – “When the heavens weep, the earth lives.”  For more information about the BWS, visit www.boardofwatersupply.com, follow @BWSHonolulu on Instagram, or like the BWS’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/BWSHonolulu.


Campaign Contact:

Anukriti (Anu) Hittle, Coordinator
Hawai‘i Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission
Hawai’i Department of Land and Natural Resources
Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (808) 341-8967