Kauai's Climate Change

Emily Johnson

★★★★★

1. Motivation for the Trip: Personal Connection to Climate Change

As Christmas vacation approached, I began thinking about how to make my break meaningful. Having grown up in California, I witnessed the devastating impact of wildfires firsthand—an experience that made me question the causes behind such extreme events. I learned that prolonged droughts, urban sprawl into fire-prone areas, and the effects of climate change were all contributing to the worsening crisis. This realization sparked a deeper interest in understanding how climate change affects not just my home, but more remote, less urbanized areas as well.

2. Choosing Kauai: A Less Urbanized Climate Case Study

With a desire to study a place not heavily shaped by urban development, I turned my attention to Kauai—Hawaii’s oldest island. Compared to the more commercialized islands like Maui and the Big Island, Kauai remains relatively untouched. Its preserved natural beauty and environmental balance made it an ideal place to study the subtler but significant effects of climate change.

3. Overcoming Travel Challenges

Initially, the cost of flying to Kauai—$700 per person—made the trip seem out of reach. However, after exploring alternatives, I discovered a more economical route: flying to Oahu for $400 per person, then taking a $70 inter-island flight to Kauai. This reduced the total cost to $470 per person. My parents appreciated the effort I put into finding this solution and agreed to the trip.

4. Preparing for the Trip: Environmental Awareness and Practical Planning

I began my preparation by reading Discover Kauai, which provided valuable insights into what makes the island unique. I also conducted online research to identify the best places to explore that reflect both the island’s beauty and the environmental precautions taken to preserve it. Some areas limit daily visitor access, so I had to pre-book my hiking permits to avoid missing out.

Key Hikes and Destinations:

• Okolehao Trail (Napali Coast) – 5 miles, 5–6 hours, no permit needed

• Waimea Canyon State Park – 46.5 miles, ~57 hours, no permit needed

• Poipu Beach – Great for observing wildlife like green sea turtles and Hawaiian monk seals

I also took steps to ensure I was environmentally responsible:

• Researched reef-safe sunscreens and avoided harmful chemicals like Oxybenzone and Octinoxate

• Purchased mineral-based sunscreen (brand: All Good)

• Packed essentials: hiking boots, reusable water bottles, paper maps, downloaded itineraries

• Learned to identify native flora and fauna

• Assembled a basic first-aid kit

5. Lodging and Strategic Location Planning

I compared the North and South Shores to determine the best base for exploration. While the South Shore offers more commercial amenities and beaches, the North Shore provides better access to untouched natural landscapes—exactly what I was seeking. Resort stays were costly, so I found a more affordable and environmentally conscious option through Airbnb on the North Shore.

6. Climate Change in Kauai: Observations and Implications

Kauai's intentional limitations on modernization reflect a community-wide effort to preserve the island’s ecosystem in the face of climate change. Restrictions on tourism in sensitive areas, limits on daily hiking permits, and environmental awareness around sunscreen and waste all indicate a localized response to global climate issues. Even in this relatively untouched environment, the signs of climate impact—such as coastal erosion, changing rainfall patterns, and threats to coral reefs—are becoming more apparent.

Published By - Anya Pal

April 15th 2024