Bill > HB1245

This bill establishes a comprehensive framework for adaptation pathways planning in Hawaii, specifically focusing on addressing sea level rise and coastal flooding challenges. The legislation empowers the state and county agencies to develop regional-scale plans that outline strategies for modifying and potentially relocating infrastructure and development away from areas critically threatened by climate change. These adaptation pathways plans will include various measures such as elevating and flood-proofing structures, implementing protective zoning, and strategically relocating infrastructure to safer areas outside sea level rise exposure zones. The bill defines "adaptation pathways" as a collection of progressive measures to mitigate flooding risks and provides detailed guidelines for creating these plans, which must consider factors like shoreline type, coastal processes, erosion rates, and environmental triggers for implementation. The legislation requires culturally-informed, community-engaged planning and ensures alignment with existing state and county climate adaptation and hazard mitigation plans. To support this initiative, the bill appropriates $1,000,000 for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 to develop one regional sea level rise adaptation pathways plan per county, with locations selected based on the immediacy of coastal erosion and flooding threats, land ownership demographics, and zoning classifications.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1245&year=2026