Coastal Flooding Alert Issued for Hawaiian Shores: Emphasis on Sustainable Development Goals

Overview of the Coastal Flood Situation

On June 26, 2025, the National Weather Service in Honolulu issued a coastal flood statement effective until 8 p.m. HST for the Hawaiian islands, including Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau. This alert was prompted by the convergence of peak monthly high tides and higher than predicted water levels, resulting in minor flooding along shorelines and low-lying coastal areas statewide.

Impacts of Coastal Flooding

• Flooding of beaches that are normally dry
• Minor coastal erosion
• Saltwater inundation in vulnerable areas

Public Advisory and Safety Measures

To mitigate risks associated with coastal flooding and support community resilience aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, the public is advised to:

1. Avoid driving through flooded roadways to ensure personal safety and prevent vehicle damage.
2. If driving through salt water is unavoidable, rinse vehicles with fresh water to reduce corrosion and environmental impact.
3. Relocate electronics, vehicles, and other valuables to higher ground to prevent loss and damage.
4. Monitor vessels closely to prevent damage from tight mooring lines and overwash near boat ramps.
5. Secure canoes and other watercraft stored on beaches to minimize loss and environmental hazards.

Community Engagement and Environmental Monitoring

In support of Sustainable Development Goal 13: Climate Action and Goal 14: Life Below Water, community members are encouraged to participate in environmental monitoring efforts by submitting photographs of coastal flooding. These contributions aid the University of Hawai‘i Sea Grant College Program’s Hawai‘i and Pacific Islands King Tides Project in documenting and understanding the impacts of sea-level rise and extreme tidal events.

Submissions can be made online at: PacificIslandsKingTides.org

Conclusion

This coastal flood event underscores the importance of proactive measures and community involvement in addressing climate-related challenges. By adhering to safety advisories and supporting scientific initiatives, the state advances its commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, fostering resilience and sustainability for coastal communities.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed

1. SDG 13: Climate Action – The article discusses coastal flooding due to higher than predicted water levels and peak high tides, which are related to climate change impacts.
2. SDG 14: Life Below Water – Coastal erosion, saltwater inundation, and impacts on marine vessels and watercraft relate to the health of marine ecosystems.
3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – The flooding of shorelines and low-lying coastal areas affects human settlements and infrastructure, emphasizing the need for resilient communities.

2. Specific Targets Under Identified SDGs

1. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
   • Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning.
2. SDG 14: Life Below Water
   • Target 14.2: Sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts.
3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Target 11.5: Reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected by disasters, including water-related disasters.
   • Target 11.3: Enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and management.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article

1. Indicators for SDG 13
   • Number of coastal flood events and severity (implied through the coastal flood statement and flooding reports).
   • Community awareness and preparedness measures (implied by public advisories and encouragement to submit photos).
2. Indicators for SDG 14
   • Extent of coastal erosion and saltwater inundation (implied by mention of minor coastal erosion and saltwater impacts).
   • Health and safety of marine vessels and watercraft (implied by advice on securing vessels and monitoring mooring lines).
3. Indicators for SDG 11
   • Number of people affected by coastal flooding (implied by the advisory and impact on shorelines and communities).
   • Effectiveness of early warning systems (implied by the National Weather Service issuing flood statements).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: kauainownews.com