HR 138 Summary

• Requests the Department of Land and Natural Resources and Office of Planning to convene a task force on Waikiki's adaptation to sea level rise, in consultation with the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission.

• Task force must develop and recommend alternative adaptation options for Waikiki, including whether to retreat from ocean waters or implement protective measures to preserve the area in its current state.

• Task force must consider and recommend potential funding methods for adaptive measures from public and private stakeholders, and outline topics for any needed follow-up engineering and financial studies.

• Waikiki is projected to experience over $5,000,000,000 in economic losses from sea level rise due to high concentration of hotels, condominiums, and retail establishments, plus the largest concentration of displaced residents in the state.

• Task force membership includes representatives from state and city agencies, tourism authority, chamber of commerce, and Waikiki community organizations; must submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature no later than 20 days before the 2021 Regular Session.