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).
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.