Pacific RISA

"Meteorologists are forecasting a “super” or “Godzilla” El Niño season, with a more than 60% chance of starting in May. That system, fueled by ocean surface temperatures and winds, typically signifies an increased risk of tropical cyclones but less rainfall on the whole. That means what is green now will become yellow and, eventually, a brown tinderbox."

Super El Niño And Floods Bring Risky Fire Forecasts To Hawaiʻi This year's heavy rain has turbocharged the growth of vegetation statewide. When the inevitable dry months come, it will become extra fuel for wildfires.

This Earth Day, Pacific RISA PI Laura Brewington celebrated island pathways to prosperity at the University of Guam Conference on Island Sustainability. In the shadow of Super Typhoon Sinlaku, the need for island leadership and sustainability is more important than ever. But as one speaker said, “It’s hard to be resilient when you are constantly in recovery” - that’s why Guam has signed on to a new challenge to join 100 islands in being 100% sustainably powered. Mahalo to Guam for their extraordinary leadership in our region and the world 🏝️🙏

Pacific RISA Researcher Brian Gorberg lost his car and all of his belongings over the course of 3 major floods during the recent Kona Low storms. Brian’s current research work is to create high-end, reproducible flood models and stage height maps to better protect local communities, and his knowledge proved critical over the weekend as he warned neighbors and evacuated himself as a flash flood tore through Waialua.

Reflecting on the tools he is building, Gorberg emphasized the urgent need for better preparedness in Hawaiʻi.

Student survives 3 floods, builds flood alert app | University of Hawaiʻi System News Earth sciences PhD student Brian Gorberg witnessed the final and most severe flood send an 8-foot wall of water through his home in Waialua.

The results of Hawaiʻi’s first statewide, representative survey of public attitudes toward sea level rise indicate that Hawaiʻi’s residents broadly believe sea level rise is happening, have a strong sense of urgency about its impacts, and support a range of policy options to manage the risks. The report, Public Views on Sea Level Rise in Hawaiʻi: Results from a Statewide Survey, draws on responses from 1,314 adults surveyed in summer 2025 and provides the most comprehensive snapshot to date of how residents view sea level rise and the policy choices it raises.

https://uhero.hawaii.edu/public-views-on-sea-level-rise-in-hawai%ca%bbi-results-from-a-statewide-survey/

Are you concerned about rising sea levels threatening Hawaii's shorelines?
If so, you're not alone. A new study found that most residents worry about the future of beachfront land.
📷: UHERO

**NEW REPORT RELEASED** The results of Hawaiʻi’s first statewide, representative survey of public attitudes toward sea level rise are here! Hawaiʻi’s residents broadly believe sea level rise is happening, have a strong sense of urgency about its impacts, and support a range of policy options to manage the risks. Yet, uncertainty remains about how adaptation should be financed. Check out the report and our latest blog post, joint efforts with our collaborators at Uhero and UH ISR.

What Hawaiʻi Residents Think About Sea Level Rise Consensus, Urgency, and the Cost Question: What Hawaiʻi Residents Think About Sea Level Rise By Colin Moore, Ketty Loeb, Victoria Keener, and Zena Grecni Hawaiʻi is among the most vulnerable places…

*New Product Alert!* The inaugural Hawai‘i Annual Climate Report for 2025 has been released! This report summarizes rainfall, temperature, and drought conditions across the state over the past year, using plain language and easy-to-interpret maps and figures. See the interactive version here: https://lnkd.in/eQWmCErr and the flipbook version here: https://lnkd.in/ek3fVDZe.

Introducing the Inaugural Hawai'i Annual Climate Report 2025!

Published by the University of Hawai'i Sea Grant College Program, this report summarizes rainfall, temperature, and drought conditions across the state over the past year, using plain language and easy-to-interpret maps and figures.

The goal of this report is to help connect communities, resource managers, and policy makers with the climate data behind what many experienced firsthand, while highlighting open-access tools and datasets that can support planning and decision-making across Hawai'i.

For the full report:
https://online.fliphtml5.com/rblc/2025-Climate-Report-Final/ =1

Visit the Hawaiʻi Climate Data Portal with detailed, interactive maps to explore each island, and each ahapua'a:
https://www.hawaii.edu/climate-data-portal/annual-report/

Sign up for a monthly climate summary launching later this spring:
https://www.hawaii.edu/climate-data-portal/subscribe/

The report was compiled by the Hawai'i Climate Data Portal and Hawai'i Mesonet teams. Funding was provided by the National Science Foundation, the State of Hawai'i Commission on Water Resource Management, and the U.S. Geological Survey Pacific Islands Climate Adaptation Science Center.

Pacific Islands Climate Adaptation Science Center
University of Hawai'i Sea Grant College Program

Honolulu Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency is hiring!

The Resilience Office is searching for passionate and skilled candidates to take on the following staff positions. Applicants are encouraged to submit their materials as soon as possible, as they will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Visit resilientoahu.org/opportunities to learn more and apply!

🔹 Climate Resiliency Fund Program Manager: In 2024, Oʻahu voters established the Climate Resiliency Fund (CRF) to ensure that year after year the City has the means to help Oʻahu prepare for and adapt to climate impacts. Now, we're looking for a professional to guide and manage the implementation of the CRF and develop new initiatives supported by the fund. Apply by January 9.

🔹 Climate Champions Coordinator: Help us empower community organizations to tackle climate challenges head-on! Join our team to support City-community partnerships in championing climate adaptation solutions from the ground up. Together, we'll champion solutions to sea level rise, heatwaves, droughts, wildfires, flash floods, and hurricanes island-wide. Apply by January 30.

Aloha and Happy Holidays from the Pacific RISA team! Thank you all for your continued support of Pacific RISA and island-based climate adaptation.

Pacific RISA co-lead Dr. Laura Brewington and coauthors have finalized the latest Pacific RISCC survey report and it is now available online 🌱! Find it here: https://zenodo.org/records/17782605

Earlier this year they conducted a survey of natural resource management networks across Hawaiʻi and the USAPI and this report summarizes the data. Some key findings:
• Most (more than 80%) of respondents said they used climate information in natural resource management at least occasionally, a big increase from when we conducted our first survey in 2020;
• People most commonly get their climate information through informal channels (personal connections, workshops, or meetings – rather than published literature or online tools) – which is an opportunity for Pacific RISCC to continue our outreach and access to those products;
• Most (more than 75%) of respondents still want to see better climate projections at scales that are relevant to their management activities.

Please share this report with YOUR networks!!

https://zenodo.org/records/17782605

Climate whiplash effects due to rapidly intensifying El Niño cycles | University of Hawaiʻi System News The team found that the El Niño-Southern Oscillation could intensify rapidly over the coming decades and synchronize with other major climate phenomena.