UHERO
Kimberly Burnett
A market analysis for a transfer of development rights program to facilitate sea level rise adaptation
Sea level rise (SLR) poses an immense challenge to coastal communities worldwide. In Hawaiʻi, retreat from the shoreline is necessary to preserve beach ecosystems. Transfer…
Native Forests as Critical Infrastructure: The Economic Case for Watershed Management in the Ala Wai
Take Home Messages Recent flooding events from multiple back-to-back Kona Lows devastated areas across Hawaiʻi. While we cannot stop high rainfall events, land care and…
Economic Impact of the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Environmental Services on the State of Hawai‘i in Fiscal Year 2024
The Department of Environmental Services (ENV) provides essential wastewater and solid waste services for the City and County of Honolulu, and its operations and capital…
Cost-Effective Invasive Species Management: Biocontrol in Hawaiʻi Delivers High Return on Investment
Read the full report. Growing Threats to Hawaiʻi’s Forests and Industries Hawaiʻi’s native ecosystems and agricultural economy are under threat from invasive species. Each year,…
Economic Benefits and Costs of Biological Control: Coffee Berry Borer, Erythrina Gall Wasp, and Fireweed in Hawai‘i
This report evaluates the economic costs and benefits associated with biological control efforts targeting three invasive species in Hawai‘i: coffee berry borer (CBB, Hypothenemus hampei),…
Watershed Protection Provides Strong Return on Investment on Kaua‘i
Read the full report. Kaua‘i’s native forests play a vital role in sustaining the island’s freshwater resources. These biodiverse ecosystems capture rainfall and fog, allowing…
Return on investment for watershed protection on Kaua‘i
Native forests provide many societal benefits, including protecting freshwater resources that provide drinking water and sustain culturally, economically, and ecologically valuable springs, streams, and groundwater…
Construction Defect Litigation, Housing Affordability, and Homeownership in Hawai‘i
Hawai‘i faces a severe housing shortage, driven by high costs and regulatory barriers that hinder new development. One emerging factor is the rise of construction…
Considerations for understanding water availability in West Maui
This piece intends to highlight some of the inherent tradeoffs that make managing water in West Maui especially challenging. In particular, subtracting current/authorized use from…