The loss of wetlands poses risks to biodiversity, carbon storage, and flood mitigation in Hawai'i. Coastal wetlands like those at Waihe'e Refuge are particularly vulnerable to climate change, including rising sea levels and extreme weather events such as storms and tsunamis. These ecosystems are essential for protecting coral reefs from runoff and reducing sediment transport, but their degradation could exacerbate flooding and erosion. The Hawai'i Land Trust's efforts to restore and protect these areas aim to mitigate these risks, but continued loss of wetlands could have severe environmental and economic consequences for the region.