HIGHLIGHT: HAWAII
Honolulu: The iconic Waikiki Beach could soon be underwater as rising sea levels caused by global warming overtake its white sand beaches and bustling city streets. That’s alarming for a state where beach tourism is the primary economic driver. So state lawmakers are trying to pass legislation that would defend against routine coastal flooding that may become the norm in as little as 15 years. House and Senate leaders will convene in the coming weeks to discuss final changes before sending the bill to Gov. David Ige. Research suggests Hawaii will see a 3-foot rise in ocean levels by the end of this century.