Last week, a bill was introduced (H.B. 593) to address concerns about the erosion of Kailua Beach, perhaps Hawaii's most cherished beaches. Recently, the beach has been subject to unusual erosion leaving shoreline experts puzzled.
This bill directs the Board of Land and Natural Resources to adopt rules relating to the shoreline setback area and mauka (or landward in this case) extent of the conservation zone boundary.
Per the bill:
Accreted beach land, in the form of coastal dunes and dry beach area, is still an integral portion of the each system. Accreted land holds the fragile carbonate sands, which the active beach relies upon during periods of episodic erosion. These same lands will once again transition back into active beach area as the chronic erosion present at the south end of Kailua beach migrates north and as sea-level rises. As the shoreline migrates through accretion and erosion, so too does the conservation district boundary, where all submerged lands are zoned as resource sub-zone. The accreted lands, originally within the conservation district, will not only return to the conservation district with subsequent erosion, but also have a significant impact on the function and health of the beach resource to be conserved and protected within the existing conservation district boundaries. From a management perspective, it is more effective for one agency to steward the entire resource. As such, the State has a clear interest, as it already manages the existing conservation district and it owns all the lands makai of private property boundaries, including a portion of the accreted lands. As there are currently no shoreline structures on Kailua beach, with the exception of the boat ramp and ancillary structure at the south end of the beach, there is a significant opportunity for the State to proactively and comprehensively manage the coastal sediment and environmental systems from the nearshore waters to the mauka extent of the shoreline setback area in the best interest of the public, the resource, and the State. This management scheme will not affect ownership of private property nor dictate the issuance of building permits from the city and county of Honolulu's department of planning and permitting, in conformance with special management area ordinances.
The purpose of this Act is to preserve the existing Kailua beach for the use and enjoyment of future generations.
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