Abstract

The purpose of this document is to encourage and facilitate Hawaiʻi government agencies, policy makers, businesses, and community partners to plan ahead for the impacts of climate change.

Collectively recognizing that there were no guidelines for how the State of Hawai‘i could plan for adaptation to the impacts of climate change, the ORMP Working Group partnered with the Center for Island Climate Adaptation and Policy (ICAP) to develop A Framework for Climate Change Adaptation in Hawai‘i. The document provides one approach to open, collaborative adaptation planning, based on a common vision for a healthy, resilient, and productive future for Hawai‘i. In late 2009, the framework was formally adopted by the executive-level ORMP Policy Group.

The proposed framework for addressing climate change in Hawai‘i includes several planning stages:

A. Build Climate Change Adaptation Team

B. Develop and Adopt a Long-Term Vision

C. Identify Planning Areas Relevant to Climate Change

D. Scope Climate Change Impacts to Major Sectors

E. Conduct a Vulnerability Assessment

F. Conduct a Risk Assessment

Once those steps have been completed, the next steps are:

A. Prioritize Areas for Adaptation Planning

B. Set Preparedness Goals

C. Develop, Select, and Prioritize Preparedness Actions

D. Implement Preparedness Plan

E. Monitor Progress and Update Plan as Appropriate

Each step of the framework is described in greater detail and with examples in each specific section. This framework serves as an early adaptation planning tool for identifying where to start and what the different planning stages may look like.