island disappears

Island in Hawaii vanishes after hurricane

Scientists at the University of Hawaii have confirmed the 11 acres which make up East Island are now underwater.

Civil Beat reports the island was a critical habitat for endangered Hawaiian monk seals and green sea turtles.

Randy Kosaki, an official with the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, said the island's disappearance shows climate change is real and happening now.

He said it was unclear whether the island would stay submerged.