Department of Planning and Permitting

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Department of Planning and Permitting

Ka ʻOihana Hoʻolālā A Me Nā Palapala ʻAe

Adapt Waikīkī 2050

The City and County of Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) and a technical consultant team led by Tetra Tech are developing a climate adaptation plan (Adapt Waikīkī 2050) for the Waikīkī Special District in partnership with the City and County of Honolulu One Water Panel of agencies. With ongoing development pressures and a large number of public and private assets at risk, it is critical to ensure that near-term guidance for development and infrastructure in the Waikīkī Special District considers the long-term impacts of climate change and sea level rise.

Map of Waikiki showing the special district boundary, building footprints, 1 foot, 4 feet and 6 feet of sea-level rise exposure
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The Adapt Waikīkī 2050 planning process engages subject matter experts, public infrastructure agencies, and community stakeholders in envisioning long-term scenarios and identifying practical near-term recommendations to enhance resilience in the Waikīkī Special District over the next 30 years, including policies, public projects, and updates to the Waikīkī Special District Design Guidelines to guide private development. Although the project focus is near-term (to 2050) resilience, it is in the context of recommended next steps for addressing ongoing projected impacts to 2100 and beyond. Given the long lifespan of buildings and infrastructure, it is essential that long-term impacts be part of the present-day conversation. 

The Adapt Waikīkī 2050 Project was initiated in September 2023 with background research, including a climate risk profile, stakeholder interviews, and a review of best practices. Throughout 2024, the Project will establish a more robust research base and conduct several stakeholder outreach and engagement activities, such as meetings and charrette activities. After reviewing various stakeholder and agency inputs, the draft and final recommendations and plan will be available in 2025.

One Water

  One Water is a strategy that integrates the management of all types of water including wastewater, stormwater, groundwater, seawater, freshwater, greywater, and recycled water, for climate resilience, resource efficiency, environmental quality, and cost-effectiveness. Honolulu has adopted a One Water policy and established a One Water Panel consisting of all City infrastructure agencies, the Office of Climate Change, Sustainability, and Resiliency, and the Department of Planning Permitting. The One Water Panel has adopted the Adapt Waikīkī 2050 as a One Water pilot project.

Primary Urban Center Development Plan Update

DPP is currently updating its 25-year Development Plan for the Primary Urban Center of O’ahu, which includes the Waikīkī Special District. A key principle of the plan is to plan for and adapt to sea level rise and climate change in accordance with guidance from the City’s Climate Change Commission and the best available science, and to work cooperatively to consider all available options.

Climate Ready O'ahu

The Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency has developed a City-adapted strategy called Climate Ready O’ahu that outlines actions for adapting to sea-level rise, increasing temperatures, and other climate risks. The Plan seeks to improve the community’s resilience to to climate-related shocks and stressors, and chart a course toward a more equitable, resilient, and Climate Ready O’ahu.

Primary Urban Center Watershed Management Plan

The Honolulu Board of Water Supply (BWS) is developing the Primary Urban Center Watershed Management Plan (PUC WMP), which will be part of the City Water Use and Development Plan under the State of Hawai’i Water Code and City and County of Honolulu ordinance. The PUC WMP will work to ensure healthy watersheds to sustain our freshwater supply, maximize conservation and other water-saving efforts to reduce the need for costly infrastructure upgrades and where necessary, identify essential infrastructure upgrades to maintain safe, reliable water supplies into the future.

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