Inundation of Coastal State Roads in Hawaii

Abstract

Climate change contributes significantly to sea level rise and the increased frequency of ocean hazards, such as inundation, erosion, and subsidence, along coastlines. Coastal lands, especially those with isolated coastal geology, will be particularly susceptible to rising sea levels. Coastal roads provide limitations in transportation for communities and critical services. Applying hypothetical sea level rise scenarios, through the use of bathtub inundation modeling, to predict the longevity of coastal infrastructure along specifically vulnerable Hawaiian shorelines will provide helpful insight for future roadway development and mitigation plans for Hawai‘i. These models are produced using the ArcGIS and Python software suites. These programs allow for flexible sampling and have the ability to test various sea-level rise scenarios with exceptional accuracy. This project is designed to be implemented as an ongoing tool for the study of future sustainability of coastal roadways and surrounding communities in Hawai‘i.