The NOAA map above shows a rendering of 4 foot sea level rise in Honolulu.
Sea Level Rise in Honolulu
The planned Rail stations in Chinatown and Downtown Honolulu are within the Sea Level Rise exposure area. These areas are predicted to have:
Although the rail itself is elevated, this poses a problem for passengers who will be coming off the train into flooded streets, and for the instability of the rail pilings built into areas at high risk for further erosion.
The bottom line: the section of the rail route planned through downtown Honolulu should be rerouted above the sea level rise exposure areas.
According to Sea Level Rise Guidance from the City’s Climate Change Commission (adopted June 5, 2018):
In addition to sea level rise, flooding from groundwater inundation and reverse flow through the municipal drainage system will result in dangerous and impassable roadways in Honolulu by the 2030s, according to a new study published in Scientific Reports (March 2020).
For more information on Sea Level Rise, see the resources page of this site.
- Passive flooding from sea level rise and groundwater intrusion
- Annual high wave flooding
- Coastal erosion as a result of waves and sea level rise
Although the rail itself is elevated, this poses a problem for passengers who will be coming off the train into flooded streets, and for the instability of the rail pilings built into areas at high risk for further erosion.
The bottom line: the section of the rail route planned through downtown Honolulu should be rerouted above the sea level rise exposure areas.
According to Sea Level Rise Guidance from the City’s Climate Change Commission (adopted June 5, 2018):
- high tide flooding will occur in Honolulu as early as 2028, at least two dozen times per year.
- global mean sea level is very likely (90 to 100% confidence) to rise 0.3 to 0.6 ft by 2030, 0.5 to 1.2 ft by 2050, and 1.0 to 4.3 ft by 2100.
In addition to sea level rise, flooding from groundwater inundation and reverse flow through the municipal drainage system will result in dangerous and impassable roadways in Honolulu by the 2030s, according to a new study published in Scientific Reports (March 2020).
For more information on Sea Level Rise, see the resources page of this site.
Rail Stations in Sea Level Rise Exposure Areas
Rail stations pictured above:
- Honolulu International Airport Station (#11)
- Lagoon Drive Station (#12)
- Middle Street Transit Center Station (#13)
- Kalihi Station (#14)
- Kapalama Station (#15)
- Iwilei Station (#16)
- Chinatown Station (#17)
- Downtown Station (#18)
- Civic Center Station (#19)
- Kaka’ako Station (#20)
- Ala Moana Center Station (#21)
We know sea level rise is coming to Honolulu. The downtown rail stations will begin to be in sea level rise and flood inundation zones by 2030. We should take action now to move the rail route to dry land before those stations are built. Don’t waste taxpayer money by building in a known inundation zone.
Honolulu under triple threat of flooding as sea level rises, May 3, Honolulu Star-Advertiser.
UH map - Rendering of potential sea level rise impacts in Kakaʻako