Column: Investing in climate resilience is critical need

By Charles “Chip” Fletcher for Honolulu Star-Advertiser

The climate crisis is no longer a distant concern — it’s here, now, reshaping daily life across Hawaii. In 2024, the islands endured record-breaking heat, persistent drought, stronger storms and rising seas. These events are not anomalies; they are part of a pattern that signals an escalating emergency. Without bold and immediate investment in climate resilience, Hawaii’s economy, environment, public health and cultural heritage face mounting threats.

The data is undeniable. Hawaii’s average temperature has increased by 2 F since 1950. In 2024, Puukohola, Kaneohe Bay, South Point and Mauna Loa all recorded their highest ever annual temperatures. Globally, 2024 was the hottest year in recorded history: 2.88 F above pre-industrial levels. Each of the past 15 months shattered global monthly temperature records. This heat has serious consequences, especially for kupuna, outdoor workers and low-income residents. The risk of heat stroke, a potentially fatal condition, is rising in hot and humid environments like Hawaii. Crops suffer, energy bills spike and food insecurity deepens — especially as 85%–90% of our food is imported, much from California’s Central Valley, where 2024 temperatures reached 125 F.

Click here to read the full story in the April 20 Honolulu Star-Advertiser.