Hawaii's Hanauma Bay's 88% Usable Area Could Submerge by 2030 Due to Sea-Level Rise, New Study Predicts

The new study predicted that the usable area of Hawaii's Hanauma Bay could likely become submerged by 2023 due to sea-level rise.

Reports showed that Hawaii's Hanauma Bay showed beautiful views of Nature and outdoor activities. It is a popular tourist spot that offers a marine ecosystem.

According to the Hanauma Bay State Park, the Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve became a protected marine conservation area in 1967. It is located on Hawaii's Southeastern side.

The article added that the Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve has millions of visitors, making it the best beach in 2016.

Hanauma Bay Usable Area Likle to Become Submerge

The latest article published on Phys.org's website showed that a five-year study explained the potential sea-level rise impact on the Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve (HBNP).

The report said that 88% usable area of the said Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve could likely become submerged due to the sea-level rise.

Based on NASA's sea-level rise, the report explained that global warming played a vital role in the rapid sea-level rise.

The report said that sea-level rise can be due to the melting of ice sheets and water expansion when it warms, noting that the additional water could result in the sea-level rise.

Researchers from the researchers at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB) conducted the study.

Based on the report, the researchers observed the Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, noting the impact of visitors and sustainable tourism.

Furthermore, the report added that model predictions showed the rising sea level in the Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve could impact the area's usable area.

About 88% of the usable area could be affected based on the predictions of the lowest sea-level rise and highest tide.

Meanwhile, the report noted that the pandemic, which resulted in the closure of the Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, helped with the water clarity in the preserve area.

The report noted that the water clarity became 56% clearer compared to when there was no pandemic at that time.

Furthermore, the researchers said that they studied the water clarity, diversity of fish and fluctuations in the HBNP during the closure due to the pandemic.

According to the report published in Phys.org, HIMB researcher Kuʻulei Rodgers explained that the model predictions showed the impact of the sea-level rise on Hanauma Bay's usable area.

Rodgers explained that the model predictions could help the management design solutions and recommendations. 

Lockdown and research

Recently, a study published in Nature, 'The COVID-19 Pandemic as a pivot point for biological conservation,' explained that the COVID-19 lockdown helped researchers understand and draw insights into the human impact on the environment and nature. 

The research highlighted the importance of local expert support and research for conservation and sustainable agendas or policies.

Conservation efforts are crucial to saving nature and affected areas from decline, which could also affect humans and wildlife.

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