Sen. Mazie Hirono warned of major changes to Hawaii’s environment and economy as  global warming intensifies at a hearing Thursday held by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. 

Hirono said there could be serious flooding in Waikiki as sea level rises and that studies are already indicating reduced rainfall that could lead to reductions in the local water supply, as well as more intense storms.

During the hearing, Hirono also questioned the president of the Reinsurance Association of America about how insurance companies are dealing with the increased threat of extreme storms. 

Read Civil Beat’s related coverage here: Flood Insurance Rates Could Jump for Thousands of Homeowners in Hawaii. 

This was the senator’s first hearing as a member of the committee. She was tapped to temporarily fill the vacancy left by the death of New Jersey Senator Frank Lautenberg. 

(Video: Mazie Hirono)

— Sophie Cocke