New project to bolster leeward O‘ahu climate resilience
Nānākuli, O'ahu.
A new project, Building Climate Resilience in Wai‘anae Moku, led by the Coastal Research Collaborative (CRC) received vital funding from the Department of Defense, Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation. The $2.4 million grant will bolster efforts to confront escalating natural hazard-driven threats, ensuring a resilient future for this culturally-significant and geographically-vulnerable region. Through this initiative, the CRC, based in the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST), is dedicated to safeguarding communities on Oʻahu’s leeward coast and critical military infrastructure in the Lualualei Annex.
“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,” added 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.”
Utilizing a successful approach
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. The new 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.
Researchers at the CRC 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, the CRC group and its partners, including Clay Trauernicht, wildfire expert with the UH Mānoa 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.
“By uniting science, technology, and community collaboration, the project aims to create a replicable model for climate hazard preparedness—strengthening the capacity of critical defense assets and surrounding communities to adapt to and recover from future natural hazard-driven disruptions,” said Budge.
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