Hawaii

High-rise apartment buildings in Waikiki, Hawaii with steep green mountains in background.

Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss

The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25,% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.

April 6, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

'Opaeka'a Falls on the island of Kauai surrounded by lush green forest and blue sky.

How Protecting Kauaʻi’s Forests Safeguards Fresh Water

A University of Hawaiʻi study shows that protecting Kauaʻi’s native forests from invasive species significantly boosts groundwater recharge, making it a cost-effective strategy to secure fresh water and enhance climate resilience.

March 31, 2025 - University of Hawai'i News

Lava visible in crater with steam coming out in Hawaii.

Can Geothermal Energy Fuel Hawaiʻi’s Future?

Gavin Murphy, a New Zealand-based consultant with experience in indigenous-led geothermal projects, argues that Hawaiʻi is poised to achieve energy independence and economic growth by respectfully developing its untapped geothermal resources.

March 24, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Red and yellow surfboards leaning against fence in Maui, Hawaii.

Surf’s Upcycling: Hawai‘i’s Latest Green Building Material is Recycled Surf Boards

“Surf Blocks” are fire-resistant, termite-proof, and close the loop on mountains of waste from the state’s beloved sport.

March 19, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Aerial view of Honolulu, Hawaii coastline at dusk.

Honolulu's Iwilei Center Plans for Redevelopment Into Mixed-Use Space

Striving to expand affordable housing options for Oahu residents, Honolulu's Department of Land Management requests to redevelop the Iwilei Center into a mixed-use space.

March 12, 2025 - Spectrum News

Aerial view of University of Hawaii campus in Honolulu, HI.

University of Hawai‘i Appoints New Architecture School Dean

The University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa has named Mo Zell as the new dean of its School of Architecture, bringing over two decades of experience in academia, innovative educational programs, and industry partnerships to advance design education.

March 6, 2025 - University of Hawai'i News

Aerial view of coastal Hawaii with houses.

Elevating Environmental Journalism: A Masterclass in Climate Storytelling

Pulitzer Prize finalist Rosanna Xia visited the University of Hawai'i at Manoa, sharing her climate reporting expertise through sea level rise field tours, engaging storytelling workshops, and an inspiring public lecture.

February 25, 2025 - University of Hawai'i News

Large banyan tree in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Growing Green: How Parks and Trees Shape Honolulu’s Future

Honolulu is expanding its urban tree canopy through community-driven park revitalization efforts, emphasizing the environmental, social, and cultural benefits of trees in creating a more resilient and equitable city.

February 23, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

‘Umeke Lā‘au: Culture Medicine art installation - giant wooden sculpture of calabash with people standing inside.

A Monument to Resilience: Native Hawaiian Art Installation Honors History and Healing

The towering ʻUmeke Lāʻau installation by Native Hawaiian artist Meleanna Aluli Meyer, unveiled at Honolulu's city hall, is a powerful symbol of cultural resilience and healing.

February 18, 2025 - University of Hawai'i News

Aerial view of Kapi'olani Community College in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Community Colleges: A Pathway for Native Hawaiian Achievement and Growth

The University of Hawaiʻi Community Colleges provide Native Hawaiian students with transformative educational experiences, integrating academic success, cultural identity, and strong community support to help them find purpose and thrive.

February 14, 2025 - University of Hawai'i News

Street with two-story buildings in Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii.

Population and Economic Shifts in the Wake of the Maui Wildfires

The 2023 Maui wildfires have caused significant out-migration, reduced in-migration, and substantial economic losses, reshaping the island’s population and straining its recovery efforts.

February 6, 2025 - University of Hawai'i News

Aerial view of Waikiki Beach with hotels and mountains in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Rising Above: Innovative Solutions for Waikīkī’s Sea-Level Challenges

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s award-winning Waikīkī sea-level rise adaptation project combines science, architecture, and community input to create scalable solutions for climate resilience and coastal flood mitigation.

January 28, 2025 - University of Hawai'i News

Aerial view of wildfire damage in Lahaina, Maui.

$2.1 Billion Secured for Maui Wildfire Recovery and Resilience

Congress has approved federal funding to support Maui’s wildfire recovery, including housing, economic development, and infrastructure improvements while fostering long-term community resilience and preparedness.

December 31, 2024 - Hawaii Public Radio

Aerial view of Lahainaluna neighborhood with smoke from fires in Maui, Hawaii.

Maui's Deadly Firestorm: Investigating the Tragedy and Lessons for the Future

FRONTLINE's Maui’s Deadly Firestorm investigates the 2023 Lahaina wildfire, uncovering critical failures in preparedness and response while examining the tragedy’s causes, impact, and lessons for future disaster prevention.

December 30, 2024 - PBS

Haleakala National Park entrance sign in Maui, Hawaii.

Hawai'i Researchers Tackle Climate Challenges in National Parks

University of Hawaiʻi researchers are using advanced remote sensing technologies to protect cultural resources in five Hawaiʻi national parks from climate change impacts while training students in cutting-edge environmental science techniques.

November 24, 2024 - University of Hawai'i News

Close-up of bright green phytoplankton underwater.

Exploring Ocean Iron Fertilization: A Potential Climate Solution

Researchers are exploring ocean iron fertilization as a potential method for removing atmospheric carbon dioxide, emphasizing the need for controlled trials to determine its effectiveness and ecological impact in combating climate change.

October 14, 2024 - University of Hawai'i News

Skyline train on elevated rail in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Honolulu Skyline Train Enters Final Construction Phase

The third phase of the project will expand service to downtown Honolulu on the ‘nation’s first large-scale, publicly run automated metro system.’

September 23, 2024 - The Cool Down

Aerial view of Honolulu, Hawaii with oceanfront.

Honolulu Has a New Chief Resilience Officer

Mayor Rick Blangiardi has appointed Ben Sullivan as executive director and chief resilience officer for the Honolulu Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency.

September 16, 2024 - Spectrum News

Aerial view of smoke from fires in Lahaina area of Maui, Hawaii.

University of Hawaiʻi Researchers Assess Impacts of Maui Fires and Support Recovery

One year after the devastating Maui wildfires, UH researchers are addressing the disaster's impacts through studies on health, environmental contamination, disaster preparedness, and housing, aiming to support recovery and improve resilience.

August 19, 2024 - University of Hawai'i News

Aerial view of residential neighborhood on coast near Honolulu in Kahala, Oahu, Hawaii.

How Hawaii Can Make the Most of its ADU Law

The state recently legalized accessory dwelling units in residential districts, but there’s more state lawmakers can do to reduce other hurdles to large-scale ADU production.

August 15, 2024 - Niskanen Center

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.