More Needs to be Done to Protect Hawaii Beaches
Researchers say the state is not doing enough to protect our beaches.
A study recently published by University of Hawaii at Manoa researchers claims policies to conserve and enhance beaches, public access, and coastal open space are failing in Hawaii.
A team of specialists analyzed land use on a section of Windward Oahu from 1928 to 2015.
In those early years, they found large shorelines with wide beaches. However, recent years measured significant beach loss due to erosion.
They say the culprit is the construction of beach-front properties and seawalls.
“At the same time that the management system has been operating under the goals of protecting the shoreline for public use, what’s really happened is that seawalls have been built and the beaches have disappeared,” said Chip Fletcher, associate dean and professor of earth sciences at the UH Manoa School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST) and senior author on the study. “I think there are some misconceptions among the staff in our agencies with regard to how the shoreline works.”
Researchers say based on these findings, coastal zone management practices in the state and across the country will require new policies, or more effective ways to implement existing ones.
“We see houses being built without regard to how the beaches are eroding, and without regard to the fact that sea level is rising. If we continue operating the way we have been, we’re not going to have any beaches here by mid-century,” Fletcher said. “Just think about all the families who’ve built their memories on weekends going to the beach, barbecuing. Aunties and uncles, kids and parents, all get together and enjoy a day on the beach. We’re going to be down to just a handful of beaches, which are only going to be there because we put sand on them.”