Pacific RISA

Pacific RISA PI Dr. Abby Frazier was recently interviewed by several large media outlets regarding the current El Nino, whose effects "can get dire very quickly,” especially in the Pacific.

Strong El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events have significant impacts around Hawaii and the Pacific Islands, including extended drought conditions, enhanced risk of damaging tropical cyclones, increased risk of coral bleaching, and possible spread of vector borne disease and illness.

apnews.com

"Meteorologists are forecasting a “super” El Niño season, with a more than 60% chance of starting in May. That system, fueled by ocean surface temperatures and winds, typically signifies an increased risk of tropical cyclones but less rainfall on the whole."

Super El Niño And Floods Bring Risky Fire Forecasts To Hawaiʻi This year's heavy rain has turbocharged the growth of vegetation statewide. When the inevitable dry months come, it will become extra fuel for wildfires.

Pacific RISA Researcher Brian Gorberg lost his car and all of his belongings over the course of 3 major floods during the recent Kona Low storms. Brian’s current research work is to create high-end, reproducible flood models and stage height maps to better protect local communities, and his knowledge proved critical over the weekend as he warned neighbors and evacuated himself as a flash flood tore through Waialua.

Reflecting on the tools he is building, Gorberg emphasized the urgent need for better preparedness in Hawaiʻi.

Student survives 3 floods, builds flood alert app | University of Hawaiʻi System News Earth sciences PhD student Brian Gorberg witnessed the final and most severe flood send an 8-foot wall of water through his home in Waialua.

**NEW REPORT RELEASED** The results of Hawaiʻi’s first statewide, representative survey of public attitudes toward sea level rise are here! Hawaiʻi’s residents broadly believe sea level rise is happening, have a strong sense of urgency about its impacts, and support a range of policy options to manage the risks. Yet, uncertainty remains about how adaptation should be financed. Check out the report and our latest blog post, joint efforts with our collaborators at Uhero and UH ISR.

What Hawaiʻi Residents Think About Sea Level Rise Consensus, Urgency, and the Cost Question: What Hawaiʻi Residents Think About Sea Level Rise By Colin Moore, Ketty Loeb, Victoria Keener, and Zena Grecni Hawaiʻi is among the most vulnerable places…