Authorities in Hawaii are being urged to act now to preserve the region’s tourism in the light of global warming changes.
Scientists at the University of Hawaii say many of Hawaii’s surfing hotspots will disappear and many of its beaches will become eroded.
Their findings are published in a report, partly funded by the Hawaii Tourism Authority, called Climate Change and the Visitor Industry.
It warns surfing hotspots may become unsuitable as water levels rise and swells are no longer able to break regularly on the reef, although other regular breaks may surface, according to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.
Some Hawaii beaches will erode by 50 feet or more by the middle of this century and others will disappear.
At some point, a new ‘Waikiki Beach’ will have to be established on higher ground on a different coast where sand is more plentiful.
Because nearly all of Hawaii’s hotels are located near the shore, the resorts will be under increasing attack from flooding and storm surges, according to the report.
And Hawaii will likely see more competition for visitors as warmer climate zones expand and new, easier-to-reach tropical resorts emerge in coastal regions from Texas to Florida.
