San Blas Islands Rescue

This concept uses the structural elements of the Honeycomb Villages to create the support for a new ground over an existing coral reef island that is being engulfed by the sea. Gradually, the existing endangered village will be relocated on top. It is a pilot project proposed to rescue the Kuna Indians living on the coral reef Sand Blas Islands, off the north-eastern coast of Panama. It could later be applied to many disappearing islands, most in the Pacific Ocean, most of which are far away from any mainland.

Maintaining the presence of a native village on the island would be preferable to a forced resettlement which could result in a loss of identity and death of the village. Cost wise, if all aspects are considered, staying may prove to be preferable. It is also a matter of principle, not to retreat! Yes, the infrastructure will be expensive, but so will be any relocation to a main land. What about land values? A positive outcome will be the creation of jobs on the islands, and on the main land as well, for the construction of the Honeycomb. There will also be great job opportunities in tourism, fishing, and other revenue generating activities for the natives.

The Honeycomb is formed from hexagonal elements which resemble giant Mushrooms. The base structure will be made with reinforced concrete, using latest eco-friendly concrete materials and technologies. This will then receive a finishing surface produced with Biorock technology.  The Mushrooms will be prefabricated in sections, which can be transported on rafts, where the islands are near the mainland.

A concrete precast plant could be established on the mainland. This will create more jobs for the local communities.  The top of each Mushroom is sloped inwards. This allows for good drainage and collection of rain water. So each unit will have its own little pond or reservoir of clean fresh water.

Any proposal to rescue the community from the rising sea would bump against the present reality. Yet, this reality is continuously changing and is a battle against time. In the case of the San Blas Islands, it will be up to the Kuna Congreso General to decide to win or lose this battle. The islands are being steadily taken over by the sea and their overcrowding is getting worse.

One of the advantages of the Honeycomb structure is that it can be erected with minimum disturbance to the village. As the rendering shows, the hexagonal grid is extremely flexible, easy to expand or contract.  Construction could be performed with minimum relocation required; as a matter of fact, construction and maintenance activities will create long term jobs on the island. Puling apart and reconstructing the huts on top of the Honeycomb should be fairly easy to do with the same cranes used to erect the mushrooms.

It is only the clear portions (not occupied by buildings) of the Honeycomb which will have to be covered as required; gravel and sand can be taken from the centre of the island, without disturbing the environment, top soil for gardening and wood chips for pathways will be brought in bags by boat or raft.  The exposed surfaces will be finished with Biorock.

The missing hexagons (gaps in the Honeycomb) will let the sun and rain penetrate to the old ground. This will become a haven for fishing. As the sea will rise, the coral reefs will expand bringing marine life. Far from being an obstacle, the concrete piers, which can be finished with Biorock, will facilitate new coral growth. Lobster farming could become a major activity and source of revenue. Some fishing will be done from the guardrails, other by boats below.

The Sand Blas Islands should become self-sufficient as a united commonwealth; cooperation of all islands is essential for the success of this project. Most, if not all island communities should be integrated into a trade system and the various goods and services they provide should be coordinated, in order to be economically viable.

The Honeycomb structure also provides the base to support renewable energy (sun, wind and tidal power). This in itself could make this project a long term safe and lucrative investment. And also provide long term jobs and educations opportunities for the Kuna Indians!


The top of the Honeycomb (top of the hexagonal mushrooms) will be covered, as illustrated in the bird eye's view. The underside is obviously sheltered from the sun. There will be a very pleasant micro ecosystem, with a unique climate (light, temperature, ventilation, etc.) created between the old ground and sea water at the bottom, and the underside of the mushrooms, will be largely sheltered from direct sun light, with the exception of the openings left on purpose to let the sun and rain through.

This project could be very lucrative economically, and could provide a lot of jobs for the locals, especially if there will be cooperation and coordination between each separate island (or group of islands), focusing on particular occupations, and trading between each other. Following is an open list, which will grow in time, as more people will become aware and receptive of the concept.

1. There will be electricity generated from wave or tidal power (http://swellfuel.com/), wind turbines, solar panels (hot water and PV installed on surfaces exposed to the sun), and bio fuels from algae farming.
2. There will be great lobster farming and fishing.
3. There will be good opportunities for Permaculture, growing various fruits and vegetables.
4. There will be excellent tourism potential. I believe this development could become quite an attraction.
5. There will be opportunities for future goods and services, not found anywhere else.
6. There will be new hope created for many communities presently in distress; many young people who are currently contemplating leaving the islands, will be persuaded to stay and be part of this re-birth of their village; many who have already left, will decide to come back; there will be enough space for everybody; I have pointed out before the flexibility and expandability of the Honeycomb.
7. There will be effective defence against large waves caused by storms.  These will affect only the space below the Honeycomb.

This concept is of course applicable only to islands which are being taken over by the ocean, and only those which are populated. Many atolls belong to this category.