Mālama i ka Wai.

The State of Hawaii Department of Transportation, Airports (DOTA) Environmental Requirements for Construction Projects Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) establishes the process for complying with DOTA Engineering Branch, Environmental Section (AIR-EE) requirements. The SOP applies to DOTA State Projects and Tenant Improvement Projects at airports statewide and addresses environmental reviews and document submittals during design, pre-construction, construction, and project closeout This presentation will provide an overview of the SOP and explain how project teams should use it to identify environmental requirements, prepare required submittals, support DOTA review, and maintain compliance during construction. Topics will include AIR-EE design review, exemption categories, total land disturbance calculations, and required design and contractor submittals. The presentation will also explain how project conditions and activities may trigger additional permitting, review, or documentation requirements. Attendees will learn how to use the SOP as a roadmap for identifying requirements, planning submittals, understanding responsibilities, and coordinating with AIR-EE throughout a project.

Sea level rise is no longer a distant projection but an accelerating, effectively unstoppable reality. The rate of global sea level rise has doubled in the past three decades. Its drivers are intensifying: mountain glacier losses now exceed Greenland’s, Greenland melting has quadrupled and Antarctic melting tripled since 2010, and continents are drying as aquifers are depleted. Meanwhile, warming oceans continue to expand as heat circulates into the deep sea, committing the planet to rising seas for centuries. This talk explains the science behind these trends, the national sea level scenarios, and why Hawaiʻi will see 15–20% more rise than the global average. Using Waikīkī, ʻEwa Beach and Sunset Beach as case studies, it shows what rising seas mean on the ground: high-tide flooding that has already begun, decades ahead of permanent inundation; wave-driven flooding; beach loss, made worse by seawalls and other coastal hardening; storm drains backing up; rising and polluted groundwater; and compound flooding when heavy rain coincides with high tide.

Gain a practical understanding of HDOT's Construction Site Runoff Control Program and the requirements for managing public and private construction projects on Oʻahu. This session will provide an overview of permitting, storm water compliance processes, and the roles and responsibilities of project personnel. Attendees will explore common Best Management Practices (BMPs) used on Hawaiʻi construction sites, with real-world examples highlighting proper installation, maintenance, and common deficiencies. The presentation will also cover effective inspection documentation, corrective action reporting, monthly compliance reports, and best practices for organizing compliance records in Autodesk Construction Cloud.

This session will introduce transportation professionals to high-priority invasive pests in Hawaiʻi, including coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB), little fire ants (LFA), and other species of concern. Participants will learn about the threats these pests pose to Hawaiʻi’s environment, agriculture, and communities, how everyday transportation activities can contribute to their spread, and practical steps they can take to prevent their introduction and movement.

An overview of the recent revisions to HAR Chapter 11-55, Appendices F and G, and how those changes may affect HDOT construction projects.

The Harbors Construction Site Runoff Control and Post-Construction Programs are two key pillars of Harbors Stormwater Management Program at State of Hawaii Department of Transportation. Our Construction Site Runoff Control Program seeks to limit the impact of construction activities on the storm water conveyance system and receiving water bodies. And our Post-Construction Program compliments the construction program and mainly addresses stormwater runoff following the completion of construction phase and the relevant project improvements have been installed and accepted for long term operation & maintenance. This training is tailored to provide general guidance and outreach to Harbors personnel, designers, contractors, tenants, and developers (tasked with respective responsibilities) to ensure that projects having potential discharge(s) into Harbors small MS4 comply with Harbors stormwater management program requirements in order to protect Hawaii’s precious ocean water resource.

This presentation will introduce the basics of the USACE permitting program including the following: - Corps regulatory authorities - Corps geographic jurisdiction - Types of permits - Interagency consultation, including WQC and CZM - permit exemptions - non-regulated activities - an overview of common special conditions and information typically needed for agency consultation (e.g., EFH, ESA)