$2.4M to bolster Waiʻanae coast’s climate resilience

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A University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa project aimed at boosting climate resilience on Oʻahu's Waiʻanae coast has been awarded a $2.4 million grant from the Department of Defense's Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation. Led by the Coastal Research Collaborative (CRC) in the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST), the "Building Climate Resilience in Waiʻanae Moku" initiative will address escalating threats from natural hazards. This funding will support efforts to safeguard communities and critical military infrastructure in the Lualualei Annex, ensuring a more resilient future for the geographically vulnerable leeward region.

"Located in a region highly vulnerable to wildland fires, extreme heat, drought, coastal erosion, flooding, and compound hazard events, Wai'anae Moku faces growing risks that jeopardize community resilience, transportation access, and effective military operations," said Juliette Budge, project lead and operations project manager with CRC. "This project integrates cutting-edge climate hazard modeling with robust community engagement to build resilience across both military and civilian landscapes."

"A hallmark of the project is its inclusive, participatory approach," said Chip Fletcher, SOEST dean and director of CRC. "The funding specifically supports the creation of two key advisory bodies that will bring together installation leadership, local agencies, and, most importantly, community representatives. This structure ensures that adaptation strategies reflect shared priorities and are grounded in local, place-based knowledge."

18-month initiative

The 18-month initiative will culminate in an installation readiness assessment, prioritized adaptation projects, and a comprehensive action plan that enhances both defense capabilities and regional resilience.

CRC researchers will develop high-resolution computer models simulating future wildfire behavior, rainfall-induced flooding, groundwater inundation, coastal erosion, and wave-driven flooding under various coastal flooding scenarios. These models will identify threatened infrastructure, assess risk timelines, and inform adaptation strategies. Results will be shared through an interactive geospatial platform and maps that can guide future decision-making, planning, and investment.

Engaging communities

Broader engagement with surrounding neighborhoods will ensure that the final action plan is a collective effort, reflecting the shared needs of the region. By integrating local knowledge with scientific data, CRC and its partners, including Clay Trauernicht, wildfire expert with UH Mānoa's College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience 's Ecosystems and Landcare Program, will co-develop a comprehensive plan that directly addresses the shared vulnerabilities of the region's interconnected roads, utilities and emergency response systems, allowing communities to be better prepared to adapt to and recover from future climate disruptions.

The project is modeled after the Koʻolau Poko Readiness Review, a collaborative effort between the City and County of Honolulu Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency and the Coastal Research Collaborative that was recognized with an Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement Award from the Hawaiʻi Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers.