Pacific RISA

06/15/2026

On the heels of being quoted by both USA Today and the Associated Press last week, Pacific RISA PI Abby Frazier, PhD was interviewed live on CNN this weekend about the potential impacts of a Super El Niño on the Pacific and beyond. Congrats Abby!

View the interview here (around 2:20): https://rb.gy/9nqoy8

06/12/2026

Pacific RISA PI Dr. Abby Frazier told The Associated Press and USA TODAY that a developing El Niño could amplify extreme weather around the globe. See below for more on El Niño and check out Pacific RISA's Pacific Island Fact Sheets on El Niño for detailed physical impacts on different sectors and projected trends in relevant climate variables for Hawaii, American Sāmoa, Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands, the eastern and western Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of Palau, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

https://www.pacificrisa.org/education-outreach/pacific-island-enso-fact-sheets/

U.S. meteorologists say an El Nino has formed. That's the natural warming of parts of the Pacific that changes weather around the globe.

06/12/2026

Pacific RISA PI Dr. Abby Frazier was recently interviewed by several large media outlets regarding the current El Nino, whose effects "can get dire very quickly,” especially in the Pacific.

Strong El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events have significant impacts around Hawaii and the Pacific Islands, including extended drought conditions, enhanced risk of damaging tropical cyclones, increased risk of coral bleaching, and possible spread of vector borne disease and illness.

04/27/2026

"Meteorologists are forecasting a “super” El Niño season, with a more than 60% chance of starting in May. That system, fueled by ocean surface temperatures and winds, typically signifies an increased risk of tropical cyclones but less rainfall on the whole."

This year's heavy rain has turbocharged the growth of vegetation statewide. When the inevitable dry months come, it will become extra fuel for wildfires.

04/23/2026

This Earth Day, Pacific RISA PI Laura Brewington celebrated island pathways to prosperity at the University of Guam Conference on Island Sustainability. In the shadow of Super Typhoon Sinlaku, the need for island leadership and sustainability is more important than ever. But as one speaker said, “It’s hard to be resilient when you are constantly in recovery” - that’s why Guam has signed on to a new challenge to join 100 islands in being 100% sustainably powered. Mahalo to Guam for their extraordinary leadership in our region and the world 🏝️🙏

03/26/2026

Pacific RISA Researcher Brian Gorberg lost his car and all of his belongings over the course of 3 major floods during the recent Kona Low storms. Brian’s current research work is to create high-end, reproducible flood models and stage height maps to better protect local communities, and his knowledge proved critical over the weekend as he warned neighbors and evacuated himself as a flash flood tore through Waialua.

Reflecting on the tools he is building, Gorberg emphasized the urgent need for better preparedness in Hawaiʻi.

Earth sciences PhD student Brian Gorberg witnessed the final and most severe flood send an 8-foot wall of water through his home in Waialua.

02/17/2026

The results of Hawaiʻi’s first statewide, representative survey of public attitudes toward sea level rise indicate that Hawaiʻi’s residents broadly believe sea level rise is happening, have a strong sense of urgency about its impacts, and support a range of policy options to manage the risks. The report, Public Views on Sea Level Rise in Hawaiʻi: Results from a Statewide Survey, 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.

https://uhero.hawaii.edu/public-views-on-sea-level-rise-in-hawai%ca%bbi-results-from-a-statewide-survey/

Are you concerned about rising sea levels threatening Hawaii's shorelines?
If so, you're not alone. A new study found that most residents worry about the future of beachfront land.
📷: UHERO

02/16/2026

**NEW REPORT RELEASED** The results of Hawaiʻi’s first statewide, representative survey of public attitudes toward sea level rise are here! Hawaiʻi’s residents broadly believe sea level rise is happening, have a strong sense of urgency about its impacts, and support a range of policy options to manage the risks. Yet, uncertainty remains about how adaptation should be financed. Check out the report and our latest blog post, joint efforts with our collaborators at Uhero and UH ISR.

Consensus, Urgency, and the Cost Question: What Hawaiʻi Residents Think About Sea Level Rise By Colin Moore, Ketty Loeb, Victoria Keener, and Zena Grecni Hawaiʻi is among the most vulnerable places…

02/06/2026

*New Product Alert!* The inaugural Hawai‘i Annual Climate Report for 2025 has been released! This report summarizes rainfall, temperature, and drought conditions across the state over the past year, using plain language and easy-to-interpret maps and figures. See the interactive version here: https://lnkd.in/eQWmCErr and the flipbook version here: https://lnkd.in/ek3fVDZe.

Introducing the Inaugural Hawai'i Annual Climate Report 2025!

Published by the University of Hawai'i Sea Grant College Program, this report summarizes rainfall, temperature, and drought conditions across the state over the past year, using plain language and easy-to-interpret maps and figures.

The goal of this report is to help connect communities, resource managers, and policy makers with the climate data behind what many experienced firsthand, while highlighting open-access tools and datasets that can support planning and decision-making across Hawai'i.

For the full report:
https://online.fliphtml5.com/rblc/2025-Climate-Report-Final/ =1

Visit the Hawaiʻi Climate Data Portal with detailed, interactive maps to explore each island, and each ahapua'a:
https://www.hawaii.edu/climate-data-portal/annual-report/

Sign up for a monthly climate summary launching later this spring:
https://www.hawaii.edu/climate-data-portal/subscribe/

The report was compiled by the Hawai'i Climate Data Portal and Hawai'i Mesonet teams. Funding was provided by the National Science Foundation, the State of Hawai'i Commission on Water Resource Management, and the U.S. Geological Survey Pacific Islands Climate Adaptation Science Center.

Pacific Islands Climate Adaptation Science Center
University of Hawai'i Sea Grant College Program

12/19/2025

Honolulu Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency is hiring!

The Resilience Office is searching for passionate and skilled candidates to take on the following staff positions. Applicants are encouraged to submit their materials as soon as possible, as they will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Visit resilientoahu.org/opportunities to learn more and apply!

🔹 Climate Resiliency Fund Program Manager: In 2024, Oʻahu voters established the Climate Resiliency Fund (CRF) to ensure that year after year the City has the means to help Oʻahu prepare for and adapt to climate impacts. Now, we're looking for a professional to guide and manage the implementation of the CRF and develop new initiatives supported by the fund. Apply by January 9.

🔹 Climate Champions Coordinator: Help us empower community organizations to tackle climate challenges head-on! Join our team to support City-community partnerships in championing climate adaptation solutions from the ground up. Together, we'll champion solutions to sea level rise, heatwaves, droughts, wildfires, flash floods, and hurricanes island-wide. Apply by January 30.