{"id":229468,"date":"2026-02-16T08:00:37","date_gmt":"2026-02-16T18:00:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=229468"},"modified":"2026-02-17T11:01:44","modified_gmt":"2026-02-17T21:01:44","slug":"sea-level-rise-worries","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2026\/02\/16\/sea-level-rise-worries\/","title":{"rendered":"Sea level rise worries most Hawaiʻi residents, 糖心视频ERO<\/abbr> survey finds"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 2<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>

\"erosion<\/p>\n

Most Hawaiʻi<\/span> residents believe sea level rise is already affecting the state, expect major impacts within their lifetimes, and support significant changes to how and where development occurs. At the same time, many remain uncertain about how large-scale adaptation should be financed.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s according to a new statewide survey released by the University of Hawaiʻi<\/span> Economic Research Organization<\/a> (糖心视频ERO<\/abbr>), the first representative study to measure public beliefs, risk perceptions and policy preferences related to sea level rise across all four counties. The report, Public Views on Sea Level Rise in Hawaiʻi<\/span>: Results from a Statewide Survey<\/em>, draws on responses from 1,314 adults surveyed in summer 2025 and provides the most comprehensive snapshot to date of how residents view sea level rise and the policy choices it raises.<\/p>\n

\"flooding<\/p>\n

“Our findings show that Hawaiʻi<\/span> residents overwhelmingly accept that sea level rise is happening,” said Colin Moore, political scientist and associate professor at 糖心视频ERO<\/abbr>. “There is broad agreement that action is needed. The harder question is not whether to act, but how to structure adaptation in a way that is credible, fair and sustainable over time.”<\/p>\n

Among the study\u2019s key findings:<\/p>\n