Hawaiʻi's Historic Flooding: Unpacking the Systemic Causes of Extreme Weather Events

The recent flooding in Hawaiʻi highlights the urgent need for systemic solutions that address the root causes of climate change.

By centering indigenous knowledge and perspectives, we can develop more effective solutions that prioritize the preservation of ancestral lands and cultural heritage. The intensification of Kona low systems is a symptom of a broader historical pattern - the warming of the Pacific Ocean due to climate change. This warming is linked to the rise of global temperatures, which are driven by human activities such as greenhouse gas emissions. By examining the historical context of climate change in Hawaiʻi, we can better understand the systemic causes of extreme weather events and develop more effective solutions that prioritize the needs of marginalized communities and the preservation of cultural heritage.