Your readers deserve a better understanding of the history of the Hololani revetment project in Lahaina, Maui, and why it has received approval from all necessary local, state and federal agencies.

Hololani has lawfully placed sandbags on its shoreline under emergency permits since 2007. The Maui County emergency permit mandated that Hololani develop a permanent solution for the protection of the residential buildings because sandbags do not last. Hololani has been acting in compliance with this directive since then, and the current project is the result of years of engineering, environmental review and permitting.

The project has been publicly vetted multiple times over the last eight years and has received all required permits and approvals — local, state and federal. As such, we were surprised and blind-sided when a small group came forward in opposition to the project just six weeks ago. These same people chose not to participate in the extensive environmental review and permit hearing processes that are the fundamental legal and policy bedrock for project assessment in the state of Hawaii.

When the Maui County Planning Department asked if Hololani would support a regional beach nourishment project, Hololani agreed to do so and has taken a leadership role. Hololani directors have helped to develop the scope of work for the environmental impact statement (EIS), which will include all alternatives for protection of beach, shoreline and buildings — including beach nourishment and revetment options.

Hololani directors have been directly involved in drafting the funding agreement between nine condominium associations, which was unanimously approved by the board. If the beach nourishment option is pursued and implemented to successfully protect the region’s properties, Hololani is required to remove the revetment at its own cost.

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources’s Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands recommended approval of the Hololani project because of the unique geology — a sheer silt and clay cliff and no sand dunes. This morphology was confirmed in 2007 by geologists employed by both Maui County and the state. The project will not starve the beach of landward sand deposits and will not affect whether or not there is sand in front of Hololani. Furthermore, the design of the rock revetment will help promote the return of the beach during summer south swell conditions.

Experienced coastal engineers advise that there will be no effects on neighboring properties that will inevitably lead to further shoreline hardening. The lateral effects of the proposed project extend only a short distance and are mitigated by specialized low-profile shore protection mattresses, which have already been in place for a decade. The needs of neighboring properties will be determined by wind and wave conditions that are totally independent of the Hololani project.

Finally, simple economics are not being considered by a “do nothing” approach. Erosion at this site is occurring at nearly one foot per year. The county drainage culvert is in immediate need of repair, and in the near future, protection will be necessary for the public road and underground utilities. The Hololani project will accomplish these goals at no cost to the taxpayers. In addition, Hololani will be providing permanent vertical and lateral public access to the shoreline.

After 11 years of permitting, planning and public hearings, Hololani deserves a vote in the state House of Representatives (Senate Concurrent Resolution 63). If the members of the House hear all the facts about this public-private partnership, we are confident we would win the support of the House, as we have at every other level of the public process.

Stuart Allen is president of Hololani AOAO board of directors.