News Release

For Immediate Release
November 9, 2020

Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission Launches Campaign to Draw Attention to Sea-Level Rise

The Hawaii 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.

Through the use of a Hawaii-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, 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 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.org 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!

Once the pandemic restrictions lift, the Commission hopes to develop an in-person event with local musicians, to highlight Hawaii’s issues related to sea level rise and climate change.

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 Hawaii 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.

For more information on this program, please contact Anu Hittle at (808) 341-8967 or anukriti.s.hittle@hawaii.gov.

Koloa Iki © 2020 Solomon Enos
Art is attached for your consideration and use, and provided courtesy of Solomon Enos.

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About the Commission:

The Hawaii 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.

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 or like the BWS’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/BWSHonolulu.

Contacts:

Anukriti (Anu) Hittle 
Coordinator
Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission
Telephone: (808) 341-8967
Email: anukriti.s.hittle@hawaii.gov

Kathleen Elliott-Pahinui
Information Officer
Honolulu Board of Water Supply
Phone: (808) 748-5319
Email: kelliott-pahinui@hbws.org