A rising issue, carelessly put aside has now shown great presence to shoreline properties. Rising sea levels are a global problem but affect Hawaii more drastically. A state at the forefront of the issue due to being surrounded by ocean. Projections from the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commision predicts the waterline will rise three feet by the year 2060. More reports inform that in the next thirty to seventy years over 6500 structures will continuously be under a flood warning.

Meanwhile, researchers and residents are already beginning to see the effects of climate change. Many waterfront properties are being assimilated into the ocean, slowly consuming Hawaii’s world-class beaches. As this continues we seek to “move infrastructure away from the shoreline, construct sea walls to slow rising water levels or allow land in inundation zones to flood,” said Leo Asuncion director of the state Office of Planning and co-chair of the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission.

Sea levels will damage the pull of tourist putting Hawaii in an even worse position. However, Governor David Ige has proven to put spotlight on these events and has taken the initiative to cause action. On June 5, 2018, he has signed three bills that combat against climate change. One is directed towards sea levels which “requires a sea level rise analysis in environmental impact statements before building projects.”