What is the water crisis in Hawaii?

The American occupation of Hawaii has resulted in a water crisis which is increasingly made worse by the effects of climate change. Specifically, the U.S. military and the overcapacity tourism industry exploit water reserves in Hawaii, fuelling a crisis that disproportionately affects Indigenous Hawaiians.



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Politicians have been pledging to address a shortage of housing in the islands for decades, but the root causes of the crisis run deep.

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Now, thanks to the U.S. military and overtourism, the people of Hawaii are facing one of the largest water crises they have ever seen. Navy fuel contamination has severely threatened their water supply, posing dangerous health risks, while the tourism sector guzzles water as usual.

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The Hawaiian Islands, located in the center of the Pacific Ocean, are in a precarious position. The largest tsunamigenic earthquakes, which typically occur in places like Japan, the Aleutian Islands, and Chile, generate waves that more often than not head directly to Hawaii.

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In early August 2023, a series of wildfires, referred to as the Hawaii Firestorm by the United States government, broke out in the U.S. state of Hawaii, predominantly on the island of Maui.

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By midcentury the Southeast coast should get a foot to 14 inches of sea level rise and four sunny-day moderate floods a year, while the Northeast coast should get 10 inches to a foot of sea level rise and six moderate sunny-day floods a year.

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Yes, it is safe to drink and use tap water on the island of O?ahu including in Waikiki. The Board of Water Supply in Hawai?i works in conjunction with State and Federal agencies, such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Hawai?i State Department of Health, to ensure the water in Hawai?i is safe to drink.

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While it is nice to swim in the pool below the falls, we don't recommend swimming directly under the waterfall. The pressure of the water can be intense, and sometimes rocks and other debris can come over the falls without warning and cause injury.

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Don't swim, surf or dive near harbor entrances, river mouths and channels, especially after heavy rains. These types of waters are known to be frequented by sharks. currents of water flowing away from shore.

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Hawaii's ocean water is nutrient deficient. This is common in tropical areas with warm surface water temperatures. A lack of nutrients means there are fewer phytoplankton and algae in Hawaii's water, which makes it more blue.

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