Coastal Storms Program

The Pacific Islands, with their rich cultural heritage and natural resources, are vulnerable to coastal-storm and climate-based hazards. Thus far, $4.46 million was invested in Pacific Island projects. The program is actively funding projects in the region.

GEOGRAPHIC SCOPE OF THE PROJECT

For the fifth project area, the program is targeting funds toward the Hawaiian Islands and remote Pacific island areas. Efforts funded within the Hawaiian Islands will focus on translation and dissemination of information to remote island communities.

PROJECT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

The Pacific Island project is being initiated to promote improved weather observations and forecasting predictions, and the communication of this information to remote communities. The program assists these cultures with preparing for the seen and unseen hazards associated with localized storm events, wave-driven inundation from distant storms, and sea-level rise impacts. The needs in the Pacific Islands are far greater and more diverse than what the program can address. Therefore, the areas and the products ultimately will be selected according to the greatest needs and the corresponding capabilities of NOAA to meet those needs.

KEY PARTNERS

Partners include federal, state, local, and tribal governments, Hawai’i Sea Grant Program, Pacific Services Center, Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System, Pacific Risk Management ‘Ohana, NOAA Integrated Data and Environmental Applications Center, Pacific Regional Integrated Science and Assessment program, Pacific Disaster Center, and Pacific Disaster Preparedness Training Center.

PRODUCTS

Products developed for the Pacific Islands project study area include a suite of new and improved tools, data, information, forecast models, and training for coastal communities. In addition, the small grant program competition will be providing funding in fiscal year 2011 and 2012, depending on appropriations. The small grants provide funding directly to communities, universities, etc. through a request-for-proposals selection and distribution process.