Study to deter Maui beach erosion finds offshore sand
WAILUKU >> Offshore sand could help deter beach erosion in west Maui.
Maui News reports the county planning department has been working with consultant Moffatt & Nichol since February on a study that resulted in the discovery in April of 300,000 cubic yards of sand off Kahana Bay.
A University of Hawaii Sea Grant official says it’s a long process to get the sand to shore. Research, planning and permitting could take five years with costs estimated between $15 million and $20 million.
Officials are working on an environmental impact statement for the plan.
Owners of condominiums and resorts in the area have spent thousands over the years to protect their properties.
El Nino brought high tides and strong swells that contributed to the disappearing coastline and impacted properties.
4 responses to “Study to deter Maui beach erosion finds offshore sand”
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Duh….where do you think the sand went in the first place….
Yes sand can be dredged from the ocean floor in vast quantities. Unfortunately, it gets expensive and destroys marine life of all nature, but we have wide beaches for a little while until Mother Nature wants its sand box back. After all, it is her sand box.
Our rocket scientist are continually trying to out think what our Creator has made perfect and continually screws things up. Did they ever think that the best way to prevent shoreline erosion was to leave it alone in the first place….??? Duhhhh…..??
“Offshore sand could help deter beach erosion” DETER is the key word here. Volcanoes in this lovey chain have been sinking /eroding back into the sea for tens of millions of years. The current trending toward sea level rise will only exacerbate the situation. Eroding beaches area area not unique to Hawaii there are lots of role models on the East and West coasts. So how much tax money is appropriate to spend on studies, beach rehabilitation projects. insurance premiums, and FEMA relief programs? That is a very tough question … especially when the end game is a foregone conclusion with time as the unknown variable.