The third-largest island in Hawaii, O'ahu, is facing a triple threat to its sole freshwater source, putting the community in deep trouble. Droughts, jet fuel leaks, and chemical spills have contaminated the island's underground aquifer, which is its main water supply.
In Hawaii , one of the most important sayings is ola i ka wai, 'water is life' — a phrase that not only sums up what it means to exist on an island, but what it means to live, period. But now, one of the largest of the island chain's land masses is facing a triple threat to its sole freshwater source, and if it isn't addressed soon, one community member says, 'we're in deep trouble.
That's very clear.' But drought isn't the only issue. Warmer global temperatures also fuel more extreme precipitation, bringing more rain in a shorter duration. According to Giambelluca, that won't necessarily help maintain the water supply, as steep watersheds will channel that water into flooding, and rising sea levels will prevent rainwater from having a place to go — not even into the aquifer. Rising seas are already causing significant erosion on coastlines.
Hawaii O'ahu Freshwater Threat Drought Jet Fuel Leaks Chemical Spills Contamination Underground Aquifer
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