University and DLNR back state funding to formalize climate‑resilience research center

The joint committees heard SB 657 SD1 to establish a Center for Climate Resilient Development at the University of Hawaii. University researchers and DLNR described the center as an applied research hub that produces data used across dozens of state and county policies.

Chip Fletcher of the University of Hawaii outlined the center’s work on sea‑level rise, coastal erosion, groundwater response and urban flooding, and said those data underpin many local planning efforts including Waikiki 2050. “This bill would formalize research that’s been going on for 20 years at our school,” Fletcher said, noting that county and state entities rely on the center’s regularly updated maps and models.

DLNR’s Michael Kane testified the department supports the measure and urged that the center be funded with state dollars rather than rely exclusively on federal grants, which Fletcher said are at risk under current federal policy. Fletcher noted all current research funding was federal and said the center requested $3 million annually to sustain modeling and mapping capacity.

Committee members asked about the risk to existing projects if federal funding were curtailed; Fletcher said federal support is currently the bulk of the center’s budget and that the center’s data are critical for adaptation planning.

The chairs recommended passing SB 657 SD1 with an HD1, requesting $3 million annually in the committee report language and deferring the effective date for drafting; the committee adopted the recommendation on a roll call.