As of May 1, 2022,  all statewide real estate transactions must include disclosures about the risk of sea level rise (SLR) to the property. The mandate, enacted in 2021, requires disclosure about sea level rise, up to and including 3.2 feet.

The Hawaiʻi Climate Change Mitigation & Adaption Commission, in collaboration with the University of Hawaiʻi (UH) Sea Grant Program, and the DLNR Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands (OCCL) outlined the requirements in a flyer which provides background information on the new requirement, including guidance to the Hawaiʻi Sea Level Rise Viewer. The application, developed by the Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System at UH, allows users to assess specific properties for sea level rise risk.

Like existing flood zone disclosure requirements, established by the National Flood Insurance Program, the SLR disclosure will help homeowners and home buyers better understand how SLR will impact their properties. The disclosure requirement applies to oceanfront and near-oceanfront properties as well as to properties close to streams or areas likely to flood in heavy rainfall events.

Photo credit: DLNR