A crew returned from the northernmost islands in the Hawaiian archipelago this week with a boatload of marine plastic and abandoned fishing nets that threaten to entangle endangered Hawaiian monk seals and other animals on the uninhabited beaches stretching more than 1,300 miles north of Honolulu.

Extreme rain events predicted to become more common with human-caused global warming not only wreak havoc on land — the runoff from these increasingly severe storms also threatens Hawaii’s coral reefs.

“We believe on Oahu and in Honolulu, there is an opportunity to plan for these things before a disaster hits,” Judith Stilgenbauer said.

The mayor said it's time to shift from talking about policy to taking steps toward a "climate ready Oahu."

“We have a flood emergency because of the heavy rain bomb. And we’re seeing these more and more across the island chain – more frequent and more extreme events.”

“Our work in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans shows a dire outlook for coral reef ecosystem health, from warming ocean waters, fishing, disease, and pollution from the land."

The study also points out that sea level rise is speeding up — estimating that it could raise by nearly 10 inches in the next 30 years.

On Thursday evening. Hawaii News Now will proudly present “A Climate For Change: A Second Life,” the second in a three-part documentary series about facing the climate change challenge.

On Wednesday. Hawaii News Now will proudly present “A Climate For Change: The New Normal,” the first in a three-part documentary series about facing the climate change challenge.

“By 2100, it’s looking quite grim."

“This is just one component of an overall strategy to make sure we can give people what they pay for in terms of visiting us, enjoying our resources, enjoying our aloha.”

“Rising temperatures are no longer a projection for later this decade or later this century, our island is hotter here and now."

“Warming in one area can affect the degree of warming in another place."

Coastal erosion is having costly impacts around the islands.

If you thought 2019 was unusually hot, you’re not imagining things.

Experts warn that if Hawaii’s infrastructure and public buildings aren’t resilient enough now that could lead to dire consequences for the state as climate change becomes more pronounced.