Why is the Pāʻia Youth Center relocating?

The Pāʻia Youth & Cultural Center is relocating inland because rising sea levels and increased flooding threaten its current location near Baldwin Beach Park on Maui.

How has sea level rise affected Hawaiʻi?

Hawaiʻi's sea level has risen five inches since 1970, leading to a significant increase in high-tide flood days, from two in the 1970s to forty in the 2010s.

What are some global factors contributing to sea level rise?

Global factors include rising temperatures from burning fossil fuels, extreme ice melt episodes in Greenland, and marine heat waves in the Arctic, all accelerating sea level rise.

Home / Environment / Maui Youth Center Relocates as Seas Rise

Maui Youth Center Relocates as Seas Rise

27 Jan

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Summary

Pāʻia Youth Center on Maui is relocating inland due to rising sea levels.
Hawaiʻi sea levels have risen five inches since 1970, increasing flood days.
Global warming fuels sea level rise, impacting coastal communities worldwide.

Maui Youth Center Relocates as Seas Rise

Rising sea levels are necessitating the relocation of the Pāʻia Youth & Cultural Center on Maui, situated near the frequently flooded Baldwin Beach Park. Officials plan to rebuild the center farther inland due to accelerating coastal erosion and increased instances of high-tide flooding.

Hawaiʻi has experienced a significant rise in sea levels, with five inches recorded since 1970. This has led to a drastic increase in flood days, from two instances between 1970-1980 to forty between 2010-2020. This escalating crisis, fueled by global temperature increases from burning fossil fuels, puts coastal properties and cultural heritage at risk.

Globally, extreme ice melt episodes in regions like Greenland and marine heat waves in the Arctic are accelerating sea level rise. In response, adaptation measures like elevated structures and "breakaway walls" are being developed for the new center. Scientists emphasize that reducing fossil fuel consumption is crucial to mitigating these impacts.