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Bill

SB 2977

RELATING TO A HAWAII CLIMATE ADAPTATION AND RESILIENCE PLAN.

2026 Regular Session

Hawaii establishes statewide climate adaptation and resilience plan requiring coordinated agency strategies to address rising seas, flooding, and climate impacts on islands and infrastructure.

Referred to WLA, WAM.
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Bill Summary · SB 2977

Legislative bill overview

SB 2977 establishes a comprehensive Hawaii Climate Adaptation and Resilience Plan to address climate change impacts on the state's islands, communities, and infrastructure. The bill requires state agencies to develop coordinated strategies for climate mitigation, adaptation, and disaster preparedness while integrating climate considerations into long-term planning and resource allocation.

Why is this important

Hawaii faces unique climate vulnerabilities due to its island geography, including sea-level rise, increased flooding, coral bleaching, and intensified storms that directly threaten tourism, agriculture, military installations, and residential areas. A statewide plan creates accountability for climate preparedness across agencies and can guide billions in infrastructure investments, insurance costs, and property values over coming decades.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation costs and funding: Developing and executing a comprehensive climate plan requires significant state investment; unclear whether existing budgets will be reallocated or new revenues required
  • Regulatory burden on businesses: Enhanced climate adaptation requirements may increase compliance costs for private sector development, agriculture, and tourism operators
  • Interagency coordination challenges: Successfully integrating climate planning across multiple state agencies with competing priorities has historically proven difficult; unclear enforcement mechanisms if agencies don't comply
  • Timeline and specificity: Bill stage suggests details on deadlines, measurable targets, and specific resilience strategies may still be under development

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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