Honolulu (KHON2) – Coralie Chun Matayoshi explains the effects of sea level rise on the local real estate sector in KHON2’s latest podcast episode titled “What’s The Law”.

According to University of Hawaii scientists, Oahu could lose 40% of its beaches over the next 20 years, due to sea level rise accelerated by climate change.

“Sea level rise in itself is not inherently bad for beaches or the cause of beach loss. Instead, it is how we have responded to it, allowing seawalls, sand burritos and other forms of artificial hardening of the shoreline.When the waves hit the walls and sandbags along the beaches, the sand is carried back into the ocean and the beach is eventually washed away. these man-made structures, our beaches could adapt to rising sea levels by migrating inland as the waves get higher and higher,” says Coralie Chun Matayoshi, producer and host of What’s the Law by KHON2.

According to Chun Matayoshi, the public trust doctrine states that beaches belong to Hawaii residents and that the government has a duty to protect natural resources such as beaches for future generations.

Chun Matayoshi says, “For years, the government allowed landowners to apply for waivers to build seawalls, but a law passed in 2020 now prohibits the construction of seawalls and other coastal reinforcement projects. Private owners can still apply for emergency permits to install temporary protections like the sand burrito, but the state must enforce the 3-year limit and not allow them to stay indefinitely. And last year, the Legislature passed a bill requiring sellers to disclose to buyers any threat of sea-level rise – the law only went into effect on May 1.

In addition to the effects of sea level rise, the latest podcast episode of “What’s The Law,” explains why the state legislature chose to get rid of payday loans.

“Last year, the Legislature got rid of payday loans in favor of installment loans that are repaid over time in smaller amounts. The maximum loan amount is $1,500 with a maximum interest rate of 36% and up to $35/month in fees. Lenders must be licensed and follow certain rules, and the new law came into effect at the beginning of this year,” says Chun Matayoshi.

Viewers can listen to “What’s The Law” every Monday via KHON2’s official website.

KHON2 Presents “What’s the Law”

https://www.khon2.com/whats-the-law/