What are my risks?

On Kauai, short sections of populated coast have undergone extensive hardening and chronic erosion. As much as 1 to 2 miles of beach degradation has occurred there.

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 ocean recreation areas 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.

Photo courtesy of Charles Fletcher III

SOURCE: SOEST, Coastal Erosion Management Plan. 1998

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