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Newsweek
a day ago
- Climate
- Newsweek
Electronics Warning Issued to Hundreds of Thousands in This State
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologists are urging hundreds of thousands of residents and visitors across Hawaii to move electronics to higher ground as afternoon high tides pose a coastal flooding hazard over the next three days. Why It Matters The coastal flood statement covers much of Maui County and the Big Island. The NWS's explicit mention of electronics and vehicle safety underscores the threat that even minor, short-term flooding poses to essential property and infrastructure. Coastal erosion, saltwater inundation, and flood damage can be amplified during events like king tides—abnormally high tides that expose low-lying areas to unexpected hazards. What To Know The NWS coastal hazard message, effective from 6 a.m. HST Thursday through Saturday afternoon, identified the risk of "isolated minor coastal flooding" along flood-prone, low-lying shoreline areas. A stock photo shows a man on his phone. A stock photo shows a man on his phone. Jacob Wackerhausen/Getty The warning was issued as afternoon high tides coincided with water levels roughly half a foot higher than predicted, and a "large south swell" contributed to coastal inundation. According to the agency, the greatest impacts are expected during the peak afternoon high tides from Thursday through Saturday, with water levels forecast to subside by Sunday. The advisory covered a broad array of Hawaiian forecast zones, including Niihau, Kauai, Oahu, Kahoolawe, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, and the Big Island, identifying both urban and rural communities as at risk. The NWS expected "flooding of beaches that are normally dry, minor coastal erosion, and saltwater inundation," potentially exposing electronics and vehicles to corrosive conditions. Precautionary guidance from the NWS advised residents to "move electronics, vehicles, or other valuables to higher ground" and avoid driving through flooded roadways. Those who must pass through saltwater were encouraged to rinse their vehicles thoroughly with fresh water. The agency also asked boat owners to monitor vessel mooring lines and prevent overtightening as water levels fluctuate, as well as to secure canoes and watercraft stored on beaches. The public was invited to support scientific research by submitting flooding observations to the University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program's King Tides Project. Newsweek reached out to the King Tides Project by email for comment. What People Are Saying NWS Honolulu in a coastal flood advisory: "Peak afternoon high tides, combined with elevated water levels running about a half a foot higher than predicted and a large south swell filling in, will lead to minor flooding along shoreline and low lying coastal areas through Saturday. Water levels should fall below thresholds during peak afternoon high tides Sunday." The King Tides Project, on a webpage: "King Tides, or the highest high tides of the year, are a unique coastal hazard. The timing of these extreme water level events can be anticipated through the use of tidal predictions yet their impacts (e.g., coastal flooding and inundation in low lying areas) can have devastating consequences for coastal inhabitants, particularly when combined with severe weather or high wave events." What Happens Next The NWS anticipates that coastal water levels will drop below flooding thresholds after Saturday's afternoon high tides, with conditions anticipated to improve by Sunday. Until then, residents and visitors are urged to maintain precautions and remain attentive to weather updates.
Newsweek
25-07-2025
- Climate
- Newsweek
Electronics Warning Issued to Hundreds of Thousands
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologists issued an alert on Friday urging hundreds of thousands of people to move electronics to higher ground amid coastal flooding triggered by king tides. Newsweek reached out to NWS Honolulu via phone for comment. Why It Matters The NWS office in Honolulu, Hawaii, issued a coastal flood statement for Maui County and the Big Island on Friday, warning the public of minor flooding due to elevated afternoon high tides. The advisory holds significance, as it highlights the vulnerability of local communities—and their property, including electronic devices and vehicles—to the hazards of coastal flooding. Earlier this month, similar advisories were issued in the San Francisco Bay Area, warning people to use caution when traveling near coastal areas. High tide in Maui. High tide in Maui. Francis Joseph Dean/Getty What To Know The NWS issued a minor coastal flooding statement through Friday afternoon for the following areas: portions of Kahoolawe, Lanai, Maui, Molokai and the Big Island. Water levels were observed at approximately half a foot above predicted values, with the trend anticipated to persist into the afternoon before easing by the weekend. The advisory pinpointed risks including localized minor flooding along shorelines, temporary coastal erosion, saltwater inundation and the potential for flooding of typically dry beaches and some low-lying coastal areas. The NWS statement specifically cautioned residents and visitors to protect vulnerable property during potential flood conditions. Key recommendations included moving electronics, vehicles and other valuables to higher ground. The agency also advised drivers to avoid traveling through flooded roadways, and highlighted the importance of rinsing vehicles with fresh water if exposure to salt water occurred. For those managing boats or personal watercraft, it recommended monitoring for over-wash and ensuring vessel mooring lines do not become overtightened due to increased water levels. The advisory emphasized the prompt need for precautionary measures, particularly concerning the safety and potential damage of electronic equipment and vehicles due to saltwater exposure. The NWS also encouraged the public to document and submit coastal flooding observations for scientific research via the University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program's King Tides Project. The program is designed to help better understand impacts from sea level rise and other coastal hazards. What People Are Saying NWS Honolulu, in the coastal flood statement: "Avoid driving through flooded roadways. If you are forced to drive through salt water, be sure to rinse your vehicle with fresh water. Move electronics, vehicles or other valuables to higher ground." The King Tides Project, on a webpage: "King Tides, or the highest high tides of the year, are a unique coastal hazard. The timing of these extreme water level events can be anticipated through the use of tidal predictions yet their impacts (e.g., coastal flooding and inundation in low lying areas) can have devastating consequences for coastal inhabitants, particularly when combined with severe weather or high wave events." What Happens Next According to the NWS, water levels are forecast to drop below flood thresholds following the afternoon high tides, likely before the coming weekend. Residents and authorities are expected to remain vigilant, following preparedness guidance until coastal conditions normalize. Should minor flooding persist or intensify, further advisories may be issued by weather authorities.
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
$200k in grants to improve Ala Wai water quality, how you can help
HONOLULU (KHON2) — Multiple grants totaling $200,000 look to transform the Ala Wai Canal. The University of Hawaii's Sea Grant College Program awarded six awards between $10,000 and $50,000 for projects to improve water quality, enhance ecosystem resilience and engage communities in sustainable solutions. WATCH: Man jumps in Ala Wai Canal to avoid arrest It's all part of the Ola Waikiki project, which hopes to create strategies that 'mimic nature to manage and treat stormwater.' According to Hawaii Sea Grant Director and Principal Investigator Darren T. Lerner, the increased number of storms calls for sustainable long-term management of the Ala Wai and its watersheds. 'These projects provide an opportunity to demonstrate small-scale application of GSI that can eventually be scaled up into regional projects that support meaningful and impactful benefits to the environment and community,' Lerner said.A Hawaii Sea Grant panel funded the following community-led projects for the effort: The project aims to install a rain garden, which would capture about 80,000 gallons of rainwater each year. The garden will also serve as an educational tool for students and the Palolo community. Community members plant trees to help mitigate flooding impacts and reduce stormwater runoff in Palolo Valley. The shade trees would double as an on-campus arboretum for keiki to learn about native tree species and sustainability. It's an addition to an already existing rain garden on 11th Ave. Volunteers will get the opportunity to learn about groundcover plants and participate in hands-on sustainability practices. Ala Wai sees tremendous 24 hour transformation University of Hawaii officials said this project would intercept stormwater for treatment before it reaches the Palolo Stream and the Ala Wai Canal. The suite would feature rain barrels and rain gardens to do this. Community members will use Native Hawaiian plants to deploy floating wetlands in the Ala Wai Canal. The wetlands will 'improve water quality, enhance biodiversity and explore cost-effective ecological restoration methods.' Volunteers will create a more resilient urban ecosystem through erosion control and native biodiversity restoration. The prioritization of this would help reduce runoff and promote traditional ecological knowledge. Check out more news from around Hawaii For more information on these projects or to get involved, click HERE. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
City Council discusses helping with cesspool conversion
STATE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES / 2015 A partially exposed cinder-block cesspool pit with a cover on an eroding shoreline in Punaluu. Hawaii has 83, 000 cesspools, more than any other state. 1 /4 STATE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES / 2015 A partially exposed cinder-block cesspool pit with a cover on an eroding shoreline in Punaluu. Hawaii has 83, 000 cesspools, more than any other state. STAR-ADVERTISER A new bill could help homeowners replace residential cesspools by offering grants of up to $50, 000. The bill would focus on neighborhoods in the proximity of existing sewer treatment plants. 2 /4 STAR-ADVERTISER A new bill could help homeowners replace residential cesspools by offering grants of up to $50, 000. The bill would focus on neighborhoods in the proximity of existing sewer treatment plants. STAR-ADVERTISER Above, staff walk along a new aeration basin that opened in 2024 at Honouliuli Wastewater Treatment Plant in Ewa Beach. 3 /4 STAR-ADVERTISER Above, staff walk along a new aeration basin that opened in 2024 at Honouliuli Wastewater Treatment Plant in Ewa Beach. STAR-ADVERTISER / COURTESY PHOTO Tommy Waters, left, Matt Weyer. 4 /4 STAR-ADVERTISER / COURTESY PHOTO Tommy Waters, left, Matt Weyer. STATE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES / 2015 A partially exposed cinder-block cesspool pit with a cover on an eroding shoreline in Punaluu. Hawaii has 83, 000 cesspools, more than any other state. STAR-ADVERTISER A new bill could help homeowners replace residential cesspools by offering grants of up to $50, 000. The bill would focus on neighborhoods in the proximity of existing sewer treatment plants. STAR-ADVERTISER Above, staff walk along a new aeration basin that opened in 2024 at Honouliuli Wastewater Treatment Plant in Ewa Beach. STAR-ADVERTISER / COURTESY PHOTO Tommy Waters, left, Matt Weyer. Oahu voters in November approved a City Charter amendment to create a city-managed climate resiliency fund. That fund—to be supported by 0.5 % of the city's estimated annual real property tax revenue—supposedly would finance preventive, restorative and educational measures relating to climate change. Now the City Council is advancing a measure to use the fund to convert outdated cesspools on Oahu, possibly to more updated sewer systems. Introduced in February by Council Vice Chair Matt Weyer and Chair Tommy Waters, Bill 15, which passed its first of three Council readings in February, would offer grants to assist homeowners with cesspool conversions. Oahu has an estimated 7, 500 cesspools—typically, underground holding tanks for the storage of liquid waste and sewage—that could release approximately 4.5 million gallons of untreated wastewater daily. That cesspool waste, according to Council staff, can contaminate the ocean, streams and groundwater by releasing disease-causing pathogens and nitrates. The University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program estimates there are over 83, 000 cesspools statewide. In 2005 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency banned large-capacity cesspools. Additionally, under Act 125 the state mandates that all cesspools be upgraded, converted or closed by 2050. Don 't miss out on what 's happening ! Stay in touch with breaking news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It 's FREE ! Email 28141 Sign Up By clicking to sign up, you agree to Star-Advertiser 's and Google 's and. This form is protected by reCAPTCHA. But cesspool conversion costs can reach tens of thousands of dollars, a situation Council staff asserts that many working families simply can't afford. As drafted, Bill 15 would offer grants of up to $50, 000 to homeowners earning less than $100, 000 in household income, helping them comply with state requirements to replace cesspools without facing financial hardship. Weyer represents Council District 2, which includes Oahu's North Shore, where residential cesspools are common. 'Households throughout my district are feeling the impacts and are considered cesspool conversion priority one and two areas by the (Department of Health ), meaning they're experiencing the greatest contamination hazard, ' he said in a statement. 'This measure will allow the city to help families comply with the state's regulations before the 2050 deadline.' During the Council's Budget Committee meeting Tuesday, Weyer introduced a new draft of Bill 15 that, in part, proposes installations of new lateral sewer connections for unsewered properties that were not previously serviced by a public sewer main be deemed as a 'preventive and ameliorative measure.' At the same meeting, the panel received information from city officials about Bill 15 and the proposed cesspool conversion program. 'The voters clearly supported setting up this fund for climate resiliency, ' said Andy Kawano, director of the Department of Budget and Fiscal Services. Based on current real property tax and revenue estimates, he said roughly $9 million per year would added to the new fund. 'I just wanted to point out that our climate resiliency needs for this island are significant, and the ultimate cost to address sea level rise, wildfires, the impacts of hurricane type of weather will be significant, ' Kawano added, 'and this set-aside really provides seed money for initial planning and discussion with Council and the public to ensure that we have a plan to go forward, and with that, estimates of costs we can expect on a timetable.' Budget Committee Chair Tyler Dos Santos-Tam asked how quickly the city's finance department could set up and administer the property tax-based program. 'My understanding is that Corporation Counsel is still looking at the process of making grants, ' Kawano replied. 'They're very positive about it, but they're going to come back to us with an opinion.' He explained that the city might create a web-based portal 'so the public and organizations that are advocates of climate resiliency are able to self-service, if you will—go to the portal and apply for grants.' 'We're not there yet, ' he added. Meanwhile, the possible replacement of a city cesspool depends in large part on available city services in a particular area. At Tuesday's meeting, Roger Babcock, director-designate of the city Department of Environmental Services, said cesspool conversions are related to the city's ongoing 'sewer improvement district projects.' He indicated that multiple projects are identifying where folks have cesspools and where the city plans to bring sewers to them. 'It is possible that (Bill 15 ) could assist homeowners with connections to sewers, ' Babcock said. 'So we would support that as a possibility, and it could be beneficial for some of the ratepayers.' Dos Santos-Tam asked how the city prioritized which cesspools need to be replaced first. Babcock said, 'The state has done a lot of effort on that prioritization.' 'And since this is the climate resiliency fund, presumably we'd focus on cesspools that are impacted either by sea level rise or groundwater inundation, ' he added. 'So those would mostly be the coastal cesspools. And unfortunately, there are quite a few of those.' Council member Radiant Cordero asked how quickly the city would be able to complete cesspool conversions. Babcock replied that the city programs were related to 'sewering certain neighborhoods where that is essentially feasible, in the proximity of our existing (sewer ) treatment plants.' 'Most of the cesspools are not in those areas and are in areas that we do not plan to bring sewers to, ' Babcock said, adding the North Shore is one of those areas. 'So the homeowners will currently kind of be on their own.' He noted about 10, 000 private cesspools on Oahu will be targeted. 'Still, for all of those to change will probably take until 2050, when the deadline is, ' he said. 'It's a long process ; there's a lot of contractors, a lot of work, a lot of design and permits that have to happen. So the answer is it's a long process.' Later, Weyer asked about the city's plans to install sewers on the island. 'Currently, in our CIP program, a little over 3, 000 are planned, ' Babcock replied. 'It's not designed or all funded yet, but they've been identified in facility plans to (be installed ) essentially within catchment areas of existing treatment plants.' Although she said she appreciates and supports Bill 15, Council member Esther Kia 'aina also expressed concern about providing funding to fight introduced invasive species—an aspect of the climate resiliency fund—and requested 'any extra funds ' should go toward that effort. 'This is not just about the coconut rhinoceros beetle or the little fire ants, ' she said, noting the noisy coqui frog is already establishing populations in East Oahu and eradication efforts have proved ineffective. State officials say the frog species was accidentally introduced to Hawaii from Puerto Rico decades ago and feasts on native insects. Ultimately, the committee passed the latest version of Bill 15, setting it up for second reading at an upcoming full Council meeting.
