HONOLULU (KHON2) — Researchers at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa are calling for better building standards in coastal flood zones.
“With coastal high tide flooding having doubled in the U.S. in the last two decades, it’s clear that we need to build for the future, not just the past,” said lead author Wendy Meguro. “Our main suggestion is for policymakers and designers to plan for sea-level rise amounts projected within a building’s lifetime.”
UH’s research goes hand-in-hand with local efforts to ensure that coastal communities can withstand the impacts of rising sea levels.
Despite national reports of rising sea levels that threaten buildings, there is no standardized policy establishing minimum building elevations. As a result, local governments are tasked with creating their own standards.
By analyzing factors such as water level measurements, projected sea-level rises and more, researchers determined that buildings must have a more secure minimum elevation.
“This research is crucial for supporting community resilience in Hawaiʻi,” said Eric Teeples, a co-author of the research. “Sea level rise is a real threat to many coastal communities, and Hawaiʻi is particularly vulnerable. By learning from others, we can develop informed, forward-thinking and actionable approaches that fit our community.”
The goals of the research include finding different methods to determine minimum building elevation and to seek community preferences to guide future policies in the islands, particularly in Honolulu.
The full findings will be shared at a public feedback and presentation event in late 2025.