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76 thoughts on “Restoration of Award-Winning Kaanapali Beach Canceled”

  1. I agree that the Kaanapali walkway should not be refurbished. Maui, and all of Hawaii, should be preserved as it stands now, without further building, which could harm it’s natural beauty and wildlife. I am a visitor to Maui often and try to leave a minimal footprint while there.
    I have also visited the Outer Banks of No.Carolina. The islands there have shut down some beaches for preservation since I first started visiting because of too much human traffic. I hope Maui and all of Hawaii can do the same soon.

  2. What total horse pooie. For the same entities the originally approved permits for the construction of the properties to claim they shouldn’t have been built is totally lame and a complete cop out. Work something out.

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  3. Thanks for the article, BOH. We’ve been in West Maui for several months and walk the Kaanapali Beach path nearly every day. Over the years, we have seen parts of the beach come and go, and come back again. It seems to be cyclical.

    The number of jobs and the billions of tax dollars brought in at Kaanapali is staggering. It would be interesting to see what all the people of Hawaii think of losing this source of income, not just people who make comments on BOH and other forums.

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  4. The shoreline and beaches from Kaanapali to Honokowai were pristine before all the development. This land was our ‘Ohana and my father would spear fish here with his tutukane while tutuwahine would wait for them to return. The over-developed construction contributed to the erosion and there is always a price to pay….

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    1. Curtis those are wonderful memories. With the establishment of Resorts and Hotels being popularized for their close proximity to the beaches and ocean have had a “limited effect” but not to say none. What is effecting the erosion most is the Wave Motion of the Ocean coupled with Storms of medium to High Intensity such as Hurricanes. This has been identified by Native Hawaiians for Hundreds of Years. Unfortunately some of the Storms have Intensified causing more erosion than we have seen in the previous 80 years. Transient use of the water and beaches doesn’t cause what is being seen, neither does a Resort that sits 100 yards from the beach. It’s a Fallacy being perpetrated for nefarious reasons.

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  5. Any decision made, someone will be paying for something… either to nourish the beach or compensate these businesses giving up oceanfront real-estate. Unfortunately, it’s the locals who bear most of it. This is their home, most of us are just visiting.

    In NC, specifically the OBX, beach nourishment is absolutely necessary every so many years or else those barrier islands wouldnt be there… or at least the homes and businesses wouldn’t. I’ve often wondered how the machines the use to complete these projects affect sea life.

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  6. I think you are correct that there has been a change in attitude about such projects at DLNR, but I got the idea that the DLNR’s position was more that it wasn’t an appropriate use of public money, rather than it couldn’t be done. I wonder if they would be more agreeable if KOA funded the whole thing itself.

    Whether sand nourishment is the best solution is a question for the EIS to resolve. I don’t have the source, but a Sea Grant researcher told me that bioabundance showed increases, including coral and tako, at Iroquois Point after that project was completed. Results undoubtedly vary by site, as each is different. Better than letting the buildings and sidewalks fall into the sea.

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    1. It’s True that Reclaiming the Beach Sand does have Beneficial Effects on The Reefs and Marine Life, research has proven this. Those neighsayors either are uneducated to the facts or have some other agenda. The Beaches should be resanded for viability knowing that it is a Win/Win in Many Ways. Since when has Hawaii been known to Skimp and Shy Away from spending Money? Is it because they only have to pay for Half of the project? If the DNR had to pay 100% would it be no problem? Something isn’t right here.

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