Hawaii's iconic Waikiki Beach could soon be underwater as rising sea levels caused by global warming overtake its white sand beaches and bustling city streets.
That's alarming for a state where beach tourism is the primary economic driver.
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Hawaii's iconic Waikiki Beach could soon be underwater as rising sea levels caused by global warming overtake its white sand beaches and bustling city streets.
A version of one proposed bill that would create a shoreline protection plan for urban Honolulu has passed both chambers of Hawaii's Legislature.
FILE - In this Aug. 31, 2015, file photo, Andy Penn, of Hilo, Hawaii, watches as a large wave crashes off a sea wall in Hilo, Hawaii as Hurricane Ignacio moves past the state. Some of Hawaii's most iconic beaches could soon be underwater as rising sea levels caused by global warming overtake its white sand beaches and bustling city streets. That’s alarming for a state where beach tourism is the primary economic driver. (AP PhotoCaleb Jones, File)
FILE - In this Aug. 24, 2018 file photo, a man and his son watch as waves crash off sea cliffs along the southeast shore of Oahu as Hurricane Lane approaches Honolulu. Some of Hawaii's most iconic beaches could soon be underwater as rising sea levels caused by global warming overtake its white sand beaches and bustling city streets. That’s alarming for a state where beach tourism is the primary economic driver. (AP PhotoCaleb Jones, File)
In this Nov. 7, 2017 photo, a woman walks near flood water generated by one of the highest tides of the year in Honolulu. Some of Hawaii's most iconic beaches could soon be underwater as rising sea levels caused by global warming overtake its white sand beaches and bustling city streets. That’s alarming for a state where beach tourism is the primary economic driver. (Honolulu Star-Advertiser, Craig T. Kojima via AP)
FILE - In this Aug. 31, 2015 file photo, T.J. and Misti Madden, of Hilo, Hawaii, watch as a large wave crashes off a sea wall in Hilo, Hawaii as hurricane Ignacio moves past the state. Some of Hawaii's most iconic beaches could soon be underwater as rising sea levels caused by global warming overtake its white sand beaches and bustling city streets. That’s alarming for a state where beach tourism is the primary economic driver. (AP PhotoCaleb Jones, File)
In this June 23, 2017 photo, sand bags line the beach at Ala Moana Beach Park in Honolulu as record high tides hit the islands. Some of Hawaii's most iconic beaches could soon be underwater as rising sea levels caused by global warming overtake its white sand beaches and bustling city streets. That’s alarming for a state where beach tourism is the primary economic driver. (Honolulu Star-Advertiser, Bruce Asato via AP)
So state lawmakers are trying to pass legislation that would defend against routine coastal flooding that may become the norm in as little as 15 years.
In this June 21, 2017 photo, a puddle of seawater forms behind sandbags at a hotel on Waikiki Beach in Honolulu as record high tides begin to hit the state. Some of Hawaii's most iconic beaches could soon be underwater as rising sea levels caused by global warming overtake its white sand beaches and bustling city streets. That’s alarming for a state where beach tourism is the primary economic driver. (Honolulu Star-Advertiser, Cindy Ellen Russell via AP)
A version of one proposed bill that would create a shoreline protection plan for urban Honolulu has passed both chambers of Hawaii's Legislature.
House and Senate leaders will convene in the coming weeks to discuss final changes before sending the bill to Gov. David Ige.
Research suggests Hawaii will see a 3-foot (0.9-meter) rise in ocean levels by the end of this century.
FILE - In this Feb. 10, 2019 file photo, vehicles pass through surf that washed over a roadway on Oahu's north shore near Haleiwa, Hawaii. Some of Hawaii's most iconic beaches could soon be underwater as rising sea levels caused by global warming overtake its white sand beaches and bustling city streets. That’s alarming for a state where beach tourism is the primary economic driver. (Cindy Ellen RusselHonolulu Star-Advertiser via AP, file)
FILE - In this Aug. 31, 2015, file photo, Andy Penn, of Hilo, Hawaii, watches as a large wave crashes off a sea wall in Hilo, Hawaii as Hurricane Ignacio moves past the state. Some of Hawaii's most iconic beaches could soon be underwater as rising sea levels caused by global warming overtake its white sand beaches and bustling city streets. That’s alarming for a state where beach tourism is the primary economic driver. (AP PhotoCaleb Jones, File)
FILE - In this Aug. 24, 2018 file photo, a man and his son watch as waves crash off sea cliffs along the southeast shore of Oahu as Hurricane Lane approaches Honolulu. Some of Hawaii's most iconic beaches could soon be underwater as rising sea levels caused by global warming overtake its white sand beaches and bustling city streets. That’s alarming for a state where beach tourism is the primary economic driver. (AP PhotoCaleb Jones, File)
In this Nov. 7, 2017 photo, a woman walks near flood water generated by one of the highest tides of the year in Honolulu. Some of Hawaii's most iconic beaches could soon be underwater as rising sea levels caused by global warming overtake its white sand beaches and bustling city streets. That’s alarming for a state where beach tourism is the primary economic driver. (Honolulu Star-Advertiser, Craig T. Kojima via AP)
FILE - In this Aug. 31, 2015 file photo, T.J. and Misti Madden, of Hilo, Hawaii, watch as a large wave crashes off a sea wall in Hilo, Hawaii as hurricane Ignacio moves past the state. Some of Hawaii's most iconic beaches could soon be underwater as rising sea levels caused by global warming overtake its white sand beaches and bustling city streets. That’s alarming for a state where beach tourism is the primary economic driver. (AP PhotoCaleb Jones, File)
In this June 23, 2017 photo, sand bags line the beach at Ala Moana Beach Park in Honolulu as record high tides hit the islands. Some of Hawaii's most iconic beaches could soon be underwater as rising sea levels caused by global warming overtake its white sand beaches and bustling city streets. That’s alarming for a state where beach tourism is the primary economic driver. (Honolulu Star-Advertiser, Bruce Asato via AP)