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.”
Scalable solutions for urban density
The project, which began in 2018, focused on developing scalable solutions for the densely built urban area. The strategies include relocating critical equipment in buildings and streets, elevating utilities and walkways, and incorporating cisterns and bioretention areas to manage stormwater runoff and can be applied to other low-lying coastal cities.
“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.”
Through the use of architectural renderings based on scientific data, the project facilitated stakeholder discussions and provided visualizations of specific flood hazards projected for 2050 and 2100.
“It was an honor to receive the award and to share our work with esteemed design professionals at the ceremony,” said Josephine Briones, a UH Mānoa climate adaptation specialist. “We hope that by furthering our project’s reach, this recognition will inspire the broader adoption of innovative strategies to protect and adapt the built environment for climate change.”
Public outreach surveys indicated that 79% of participants found the proposed strategies relevant for Waikīkī.
For more information, articles, presentation slides and recordings visit the Hawaiʻi Sea Grant project website.
