Residents of Hawaii's Climate Decisions to Remain or Migrate

Abstract

This study examined the social and psychological factors underlying the decisions of coastal residents in Hawaii to consider migration in response to increasing climate-related threats. Fifteen adults across six islands were individually interviewed regarding their attachment to their community, perception of climate-related risks, and their perceived likelihood of relocation. Thematic analysis of the data identified seven main themes present across the majority of the interviews: rootedness, safety and security, uncertainty and fear, firsthand observation of changes, solastalgia, distrust and resentment, and legacy. These findings suggest that participants were deeply connected to their local communities and were very attuned to changes in their surroundings. Interviewees were motivated to implement adaptive measures to protect against climate change, yet they were not actively considering or planning to relocate to a different region. Although participants understood and accepted the long-term, global implications of a warming planet, interviewees felt as though they had the competency and resources needed to continue to survive in their communities within the archipelago. Interviewees related a deeply felt responsibility to steward their surrounding environment rather than moving away from their home communities. Since interviewees were not motivated to migrate, policymakers may aim at focusing future policy interventions on increasing funding and support for local adaptive measures and community solutions that can prolong island habitability.