After newly moved sand was washed away from Kuhio Beach, the city on Friday temporarily abandoned its effort to replenish the beleaguered section of Waikiki Beach where erosion has exposed concrete foundation and rebar.

A consultant advised city officials to postpone the project until after abnormally high tides subside, said Jesse Broder Van Dyke, spokesman for Hono­lulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell.

The coastal geologist from Sea Engineering Inc. of Honolulu told city officials that the high tides — believed to be caused by a massive warm-water bulge in the ocean surrounding the islands — could persist for three to six weeks, Broder Van Dyke said.

The regional "mesoscale eddy" phenomenon is causing tides 3 inches to 6 inches higher than normal and is likely a major contributor to the severe erosion affecting Kuhio and Sunset Beach on the North Shore, said Dolan Eversole, coastal storms program coordinator with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The tidal bulge is believed to be the worst to hit the islands since 2004, Broder Van Dyke said.

The heavy machinery used for the Waikiki project was removed from the beach and a fence was put back up. Broder Van Dyke said the city spent perhaps $3,000 in overtime costs for the failed venture.

At Sunset Beach, meanwhile, state coastal officials have notified the city about unauthorized work on a sea wall, said Deborah Ward, spokeswoman for the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

At least two other landowners are doing things aboveboard. Officials are working with them to review plans and authorize emergency measures to protect properties.

In one case, the state authorized filling of sand, a project that began Thursday night and continued Friday. Under the approved plan, sand was taken from the mouth of a nearby stream and transported to the eroded area by the Kammies surf break.

Ward said another property owner was given permission to move sand and also received an emergency permit from the city to install sandbags.

As many as 10 property owners, including professional surfer Fred Patacchia Jr., are affected by waves and currents that have carved a 20-foot cliff and left homes precariously close to the edge.