Fellows mentioned in this story: Kāwika Riley

From Maui Now:

Gov. Josh Green, M.D., announced the full slate of members for the Climate Advisory Team (CAT) led by Chris Benjamin, chair of Climate Hawai‘i and a special advisor to the governor. The CAT is charged with developing policy recommendations to minimize the impacts of future climate-related natural disasters and to speed recovery from the physical and financial damage they cause. The CAT will make policy recommendations in anticipation of the 2025 Hawaiʻi state legislative session through consultation with subject matter experts and community leaders.

As Hawai‘i continues to recover from the devastation caused by the historic Maui wildfire disaster, Green has emphasized the importance of climate resilience efforts. In convening the CAT, the governor reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to delivering a robust policy framework that prioritizes the well-being and security of residents, while effectively managing state resources for a sustainable and resilient future.

Understanding the growing threat that climate-related natural disasters pose to our islands, Green created the CAT to recommend policies that will help promote resilience and recovery from the impacts of such events. The CAT includes local experts in climate, environmental stewardship and finance and insurance, who are dedicated to finding solutions that emphasize justice, equity and aloha ʻāina, according to the governor’s announcement.

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