What are my risks?

Oahu has lost 6.4 miles of beach and has had narrowing of 10.7 miles due to shoreline hardening (i.e., seawalls and revetments). This is approximately 24% of Oahu's sandy shoreline (originally 71.6 miles).

Photo courtesy of Charles Fletcher, III

Beach loss affects Hawaii residents by seriously impacting the visitor economy. In 1997, tourism accounted for 171,900 jobs in the state, $13 billion in tourism expenditures and supported a payroll of $3.5 billion. Beach loss and shoreline hardening restricts public access to state conservation lands and natural resources. It causes environmental and ecological damage to natural resources and habitats. Coastal hardening can also produce coastal water quality problems through increased turbulence and turbidity.

SOURCE: SOEST, Coastal Erosion Management Plan. 1998

The full document can be reviewed at your regional public library.