Waikīkī sea-level rise adaptation renderings, community outreach earn award

Highlighting the importance of climate resilience for Hawaiʻi’s coastal communities, a University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa-led project creating architectural renderings to illustrate adaptation strategies in Waikīkī earned the distinguished Award of Merit from the American Institute of Architects Honolulu. The award was presented at the 66th Annual Design Awards Gala, an event that celebrates Hawaiʻi’s best architectural projects.

“Waikīkī is the gateway to Hawaiʻi tourism,” said Chip Fletcher, interim dean of the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology. “As an economic engine and revered cultural center, the resilience of this iconic location is among the state’s highest priorities. Preparing for sea level rise with pragmatic solutions that can be implemented in phase with rising waters is the key to Waikīkī’s future. Our work has only just begun, and the whole team looks forward to building on our early successes.”

“Our team is grateful for this recognition and hope that people will continue to use this research to plan for sea level rise adaptation,” said Wendy Meguro, director of the School of Architecture Environmental Research and Design Laboratory and the Hawaiʻi Sea Grant Center for Smart Building and Community Design. “Policy makers might consider creating building design flood elevations that account for sea level rise. Building owners and design professionals might review the flood adaptation strategies presented and consider relevance for their projects. And district-scale planners might consider the stormwater management and road elevation ideas shared.”

For more information, see the UH News item and visit the Hawaiʻi Sea Grant project website for articles, presentation slides and recordings.

Related Link

https://www.hawaii.edu/news/2024/10/02/aia-award/