Coastal Hazard and Sustainability Impact Report: South Swell Event

1.0 Executive Summary

This report details an impending significant weather event, a large south swell, projected to impact the Hawaiian Islands. The event is forecast to generate high surf and minor coastal flooding, peaking over the weekend. The confluence of the swell, peak high tides, and elevated sea levels presents considerable risks to coastal infrastructure, community safety, and local ecosystems. This analysis frames the event and its associated advisories within the context of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 14 (Life Below Water), highlighting the critical need for climate resilience and disaster risk reduction.

2.0 Meteorological Synopsis and Official Advisories

The National Weather Service has issued advisories based on the following forecast conditions:

• Event: A large south swell gradually intensifying Friday and peaking on Saturday.
• Compounding Factors: Peak afternoon high tides combined with sea levels running approximately 0.5 feet higher than predicted.
• Duration: Advisories are in effect from Friday morning through Monday morning.

2.1 High Surf Advisory

• Wave Heights: Large breaking waves of 7-10 feet are expected on Friday, increasing to 10-14 feet on Saturday.
• Threat Level: Conditions are near warning thresholds, creating dangerous swimming and surf conditions.

2.2 Coastal Flood Statement

• Impact: Isolated minor coastal flooding is anticipated.
• Affected Regions: Portions of Kahoʻolawe, Kauaʻi, Lānaʻi, Maui, Molokaʻi, Niʻihau, Oʻahu, and Hawaiʻi Island.

3.0 Projected Impacts and Relevance to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The anticipated impacts of this weather event directly challenge the progress of several key SDGs.

• Coastal Inundation and Erosion: The flooding of normally dry beaches and minor coastal erosion directly threatens coastal habitats and infrastructure. This undermines SDG 14 (Life Below Water) by impacting coastal ecosystems and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by demonstrating the vulnerability of coastal settlements and infrastructure (Target 11.5). The elevated sea levels point to the broader challenges addressed by SDG 13 (Climate Action), emphasizing the need to strengthen resilience to climate-related hazards (Target 13.1).
• Public Safety and Health Risks: Strong breaking waves and powerful currents create life-threatening conditions for swimming and other ocean activities. This is a direct concern for SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), which aims to reduce preventable deaths and injuries.
• Infrastructure and Economic Disruption: Saltwater inundation of roadways and low-lying areas can damage vehicles and public infrastructure, disrupting transportation and local economies. This relates to SDG 11, which calls for resilient infrastructure, and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), as such events can impact livelihoods dependent on coastal access and tourism.

4.0 Recommended Precautionary Measures and SDG Alignment

The following public safety measures are recommended to mitigate risks and align with sustainable development principles:

1. Protect Property and Assets: Relocate electronics, vehicles, and other valuables to higher ground. This action directly supports SDG 11.5 by reducing economic losses resulting from natural disasters.
2. Secure Marine Equipment: Secure canoes, watercraft, and monitor vessel mooring lines to prevent damage and marine debris. This measure contributes to SDG 14 (Life Below Water) by preventing pollution and protecting marine assets.
3. Ensure Personal Safety: Heed all advice from ocean safety officials and avoid entering the water. This precaution is fundamental to achieving SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by preventing injury and loss of life.
4. Maintain Infrastructure Integrity: Avoid driving through flooded roadways to prevent vehicle damage and roadway degradation. Rinsing vehicles exposed to saltwater helps preserve assets. This aligns with the goals of building resilient infrastructure under SDG 11.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on the high surf advisory and coastal flooding in Hawaii connects to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that focus on environmental hazards, climate resilience, and community safety.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  This goal is relevant because the article describes threats to coastal communities. The warnings about “minor flooding along shoreline and low-lying coastal areas,” “flooding of beaches,” and “saltwater inundation” directly impact the safety and infrastructure of these communities.

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  This goal is addressed as the events described are climate-related hazards. The article mentions “elevated water levels running about a half a foot higher than predicted,” which is exacerbated by sea-level rise, a direct consequence of climate change. The entire event—a combination of a large swell and unusually high tides—represents the kind of extreme weather event that climate action seeks to mitigate and adapt to.

• SDG 14: Life Below Water

  This goal is connected through the impact on coastal ecosystems. The article explicitly mentions “minor coastal erosion” and the “flooding of beaches that are normally dry,” which are direct physical impacts on the coastline and near-shore marine environments.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the issues discussed, the following specific targets can be identified:

• Target 11.5: Reduce the impact of disasters on people and economies

  This target aims to “significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected and substantially decrease the direct economic losses…caused by disasters, including water-related disasters.” The article directly addresses a water-related disaster (coastal flooding and high surf). The precautionary advice to “Move electronics, vehicles or other valuables to higher ground” is a direct attempt to decrease economic losses. Warnings about “strong breaking waves and strong currents will make swimming dangerous” are aimed at reducing the number of people affected or harmed.

• Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards

  This target focuses on strengthening the ability to cope with “climate-related hazards and natural disasters.” The entire article serves as an example of this target in action. The issuance of a “High Surf Advisory” and a “Coastal Flood Statement” by the National Weather Service is a key part of building resilience through early warning systems. The advice provided to the public, such as to “avoid driving through flooded roadways” and “heed all advice from ocean safety officials,” represents efforts to enhance adaptive capacity at the community level.

• Target 14.2: Protect and restore marine and coastal ecosystems

  This target seeks to “sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts.” The article’s mention of “minor coastal erosion” highlights an adverse impact on these ecosystems, making this target relevant. While the article is a response to an immediate event rather than a long-term management plan, it acknowledges the physical damage to the coastline, which is a core concern of this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article implies several indicators that can be used to measure progress, even if it does not provide specific data points.

• Indicators for Target 11.5 and 13.1

  The article implies indicators related to disaster risk reduction and impact mitigation:

  • Directly affected persons attributed to disasters (Indicator 11.5.1 / 13.1.1): The article’s primary purpose is to minimize the number of people affected. The warnings from the National Weather Service and ocean safety officials (“When in doubt, don’t go out”) are measures whose success would be measured by a low number of injuries or deaths related to the event.
  • Direct economic loss (Indicator 11.5.2): The advice to move valuables like vehicles and electronics and to secure watercraft is a direct attempt to reduce economic losses. The extent of damage to property and infrastructure (e.g., flooded roadways) after the event would serve as a measure for this indicator.
  • Adoption and implementation of local disaster risk reduction strategies (Indicator 13.1.3): The article itself is evidence of an implemented local disaster risk reduction strategy. The coordinated effort between a national body (National Weather Service) and local entities (“ocean safety officials”) to issue warnings and provide specific safety instructions demonstrates that such a strategy is in place and operational for the Hawaiian islands mentioned.

• Indicators for Target 14.2

  The article points to an environmental impact but does not provide a clear indicator for measurement:

  • Adverse impacts on coastal ecosystems: The article mentions “minor coastal erosion” and “flooding of beaches.” While this identifies an issue relevant to Target 14.2, it does not provide a quantifiable indicator (e.g., square meters of beach eroded, changes in coastal vulnerability index). The mention itself serves as a qualitative indicator of stress on the coastal environment.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: mauinow.com