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| Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission | |
|---|---|
| Name | Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission |
| Formation | 2017 |
| Jurisdiction | State of Hawaii |
| Headquarters | Honolulu |
| Chief1 name | Chair |
| Parent agency | Department of Land and Natural Resources |
Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission is a state-level advisory body formed to coordinate climate change response across Hawaii agencies including Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hawaii State Energy Office, Office of Planning, and Department of Transportation. The Commission synthesizes scientific assessments from institutions such as NOAA, University of Hawaii at Mānoa, and Hawaii Natural Energy Institute to advise policymakers including the Governor of Hawaii and the Hawaii State Legislature. It interfaces with federal programs like FEMA, EPA, and National Climate Assessment while coordinating with local governments like City and County of Honolulu and county councils in Maui County, Hawaii County, and Kauai County.
The Commission serves as an interagency forum linking technical resources from University of Hawaiʻi System, Pacific Islands Climate Center, and US Geological Survey with policy actors such as the Hawaii State Senate and the Hawaii State House of Representatives. It frames risk assessments that reference Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports and models from NOAA Climate Prediction Center and integrates input from community stakeholders including Native Hawaiian organizations, Hawaiian Electric Industries, and conservation NGOs like The Nature Conservancy and Sierra Club. The Commission’s remit covers sea level rise, coastal erosion, wildfire risk, and energy resilience across islands such as Oʻahu, Maui, Hawaii (island), and Kauaʻi.
Established in the aftermath of legislative action influenced by events such as the Paris Agreement discussions and increasing local impacts documented by Hawaii Sea Level Rise Vulnerability and Adaptation Report, the Commission grew from advisory entities created under statutes passed by the Hawaii State Legislature and signed by successive governors including David Ige. Early formation drew on reports from Hawaiʻi Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission predecessors and collaborations with agencies like US Fish and Wildlife Service and research centers including Hawai‘i Coastal Zone Management programs. The Commission’s evolution responded to crises such as Kīlauea eruption (2018) and tropical cyclone impacts in coordination with National Weather Service offices.
Statutory authority is codified in Hawaii state law enacted by the Hawaii State Legislature, referencing mandates for resilience consistent with federal statutes such as the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act and guidance from the National Climate Assessment. The Commission develops plans aligned with state statutes on energy transition enacted by the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative and implements strategies coherent with the Hawaiʻi Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission’s charge to meet targets set by executive orders signed by governors including Linda Lingle and Neil Abercrombie in past policy contexts. It operates within frameworks that engage agencies like the Office of Hawaiian Affairs for cultural and legal consultation.
The Commission comprises appointed representatives from departments such as the Department of Health (Hawaii), Department of Agriculture (Hawaii), and the DBEDT, alongside academic appointees from University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and community representatives from groups including Hawaiian Civic Clubs and tribal entities recognized under state law. Membership profiles reflect expertise in hydrology from US Geological Survey, ecology from Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, and energy policy from Hawaiian Electric Companies. The Chair reports to the Governor of Hawaii and coordinates subcommittees on topics referencing partnerships with NOAA Pacific Services Center and Pacific Islands Forum contacts.
Programs emphasize coastal adaptation planning tied to the Hawaii Sea Level Rise Vulnerability and Adaptation Report, renewable energy integration under the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative, and invasive species management in collaboration with US Department of Agriculture and Hawaii Invasive Species Council. Initiatives include community resilience pilots in Hilo, shoreline retreat guidance for Waikīkī, watershed restoration projects with The Nature Conservancy and DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife, and infrastructure resilience coordination with Hawaii Department of Transportation and American Society of Civil Engineers standards. The Commission also funds technical assistance drawn from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and implements reporting consistent with State Climate Action Plans.
The Commission issues recommendations on emissions reductions aligned with Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change scenarios and state energy targets, advising on transitions from fossil fuels to renewables referenced by National Renewable Energy Laboratory analyses. Policy outputs include guidance for building codes consistent with International Code Council standards, coastal zone management policies harmonized with Hawai‘i Coastal Zone Management Program, and ecosystem-based adaptation promoted with US Fish and Wildlife Service and EPA input. Recommendations often cite peer-reviewed research from University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and reports by NOAA and the US Global Change Research Program.
Engagement strategies convene tribal consultations with representatives of Office of Hawaiian Affairs, public forums in counties like Maui County and Hawaii County, and technical workshops with utilities such as Hawaiian Electric Industries and regulatory coordination with the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission. Outreach includes educational partnerships with Kamehameha Schools, museums like the Bishop Museum, and collaborations with NGOs including Surfrider Foundation and Hawaiian Islands Land Trust to integrate indigenous knowledge and local resilience planning. The Commission leverages media outlets such as the Honolulu Star-Advertiser to disseminate reports.
The Commission influenced statewide planning that informed Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative milestones and coastal policy adjustments after the Hawaii Sea Level Rise Vulnerability and Adaptation Report. Implementation challenges include resource constraints faced by counties, coordination frictions between state agencies and federal partners like FEMA, and critiques from conservation groups and developers over land-use guidance. Academic commentators from University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and policy analysts at Brookings Institution-style think tanks have questioned the sufficiency of recommendations versus required investments, while community advocates call for stronger protections aligned with Native Hawaiian rights and local adaptation priorities.
Category:Organizations based in Hawaii