Disappearing Waikiki Beach | The Battle To Save Hawaii’s Icon

Waikiki is in a life-or-death battle against erosion on its multiple distinct beaches. Once a retreat for Hawaiian royalty, Waikiki evolved into the epicenter of Pacific tourism. Since the early 1900s, transformation has shaped the world-renowned destination we know today.

Following World War II, Waikiki Beach witnessed extensive restoration efforts alongside the rise of Honolulu tourism. Sand replenishment, which occurred from the 1920s to the 1970s, imported beach from as far as California. Recent projects have restored thousands of feet of shoreline to try to help slow chronic erosion.

The Ala Wai Canal development led to the installation of groins and seawalls. These foreign structures contributed to abnormal sand loss and buildup along Waikiki. Removing two of the old groins a decade ago actually contributed to worsening of the erosion situation.

The beaches of Waikiki were once all connected.

Did you know that before 1950, the beaches of Waikiki were all connected? Since then, they have become distinct and separate. There are eight Waikiki beaches, including Ft. DeRussy, Duke Kahanamoku, Halekulani, Royal Hawaiian, Kuhio, Kapiolani, Queens, and Kaimana.

The state has been intent on restoration of Waikiki Beach, where nearly one-half of Hawaii visitor dollars are said to be spent. Despite adding almost 100k cubic meters of sand since 1950, most of the added sand is now gone. Rising sea level exacerbates the situation.

Hawaii plans to restore and maintain Waikiki Beach through 2080 or longer.

While the need to retreat from Hawaii coastlines is frequently suggestion due to erosion and rising sea level, the state of Hawaii’s Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) proposes extensive new projects to maintain Waikiki Beach for more than another half-century. How these efforts will pan out, however, remains anyone’s guess.

The process begins with an Environmental Impact Study (EIS) and will be followed by more planning, funding, and regulatory hoops. The EIS examines multiple projects along Waikiki in an attempt to create a cohesive and long-term plan. Currently, the projects will focus on only four Waikiki beaches: Fort DeRussy, Halekulani, Royal Hawaiian, and Kuhio. Subsequently, the remaining beaches that are not a part of the current EIS will be addressed.

Sand replenishment along the beaches will be augmented with new groins from Fort DeRussy to the Royal Hawaiian. These are rock walls that reach out into the ocean. Other existing groins will also be reinforced. After that, some 60,000 cubic yards of beach sand will be brought from offshore to help create four new arch-shaped dry beaches.

The cost and exact timeframe for the work remain unknown at this time. It will, however, be lengthy and expensive to be sure. The initial work is planned a proof of concept, which the state hopes to expand once results are in.

Ocean expected to rise by 3.5 feet by 2080.

The currently envisioned project is planned to be effective with up to 1.5 feet of sea level rise. But, given that the state estimates an increase of 3.5 feet by 2080, the project may need to be modified and elevated in the interim.

Waikiki Beach refurbishment funds pending.

The project has not been fully funded, with the state offering only $9 million of the hundreds of millions that will likely be required. It is hoped that federal funds will also be available.

Seawall controversy at Waikiki Beach.

While funding remains unclear, there is also debate from some community groups who remain concerned regarding the environmental impact of the initial plans, damage to surf breaks, and the cost burden, among other things. It isn’t even clear if the sea wall developments will be deemed legal under current law, which prohibits the construction of seawalls and other shoreline hardening structures in sandy beach areas and where they could interfere with recreational and ocean activity.

Also see Devastating Hawaii Beach Loss Will Include 88% Of Hanauma Bay.