Collaborative effort aims to preserve Kailua Beach with dune restoration

A collaborative effort between the city, state, and community groups aims to preserve a popular stretch of Kailua shoreline experiencing significant beach erosion. The phased effort between the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), State of Hawai‘i’s Department of Land and Natural Resources Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands (OCCL), Hawai‘i Sea Grant, and future community groups will focus on the Lanikai-side of Kailua Beach Park between Ka‘elepulu Stream and Ocean Safety Lifeguard Tower 8B.

In November 2024, DPR crews frequented this stretch of shoreline several times to address safety issues posed by exposed tree stumps, fallen, and tilting Ironwood trees undermined by the eroded beach. During that time they removed four tree stumps, two fallen trees, five leaning trees, and trimmed 14 trees to reduce the likelihood of their structural failure.

In early 2025, DPR crews will return to the area to relocate sand accumulating along the park pathways and comfort station, pushing it further makai. They will also remove remnants of non-functioning park infrastructure, such as undermined concrete pads and inoperable irrigation.

Following this initial sand pushing, DPR, OCCL, and Hawai‘i Sea Grant will coordinate with the community regarding the installation of geotextile fencing designed to capture and retain the fine, wind-swept sand before planting native ground cover, trees, and creating designated pathways to further stabilize the shoreline. Additional sand pushing is expected to be conducted prior to the beginning of these planting efforts, which are expected later in 2025.

“Beach loss here at Kailua Beach, and around the Hawaiian Islands, will continue to be an issue. A healthy coastal ecosystem with vegetated dunes can mitigate some of the impacts,” said Amy Wirts, a Sea Grant agent who works with OCCL. “We have found that landscaping with native ground cover, such as ‘aki‘aki, pōhuehue, and nanea, and native shade trees such as kou or milo, helps to build a healthy dune system. Community-led dune restoration projects at locations such as O‘ahu’s Sunset Beach and Kanahā Park on Maui have been very successful, and we hope to replicate that success here.”
The Kailua Beach efforts are being planned in a phased manner to minimize the impact to beachgoers and the diverse community of recreational users who enjoy this stretch of shoreline. Additional meetings for a community working group will be planned to coordinate these efforts among members of the public and longtime Kailua Beach users. For those interested in being part of this community working group, please email [email protected] and [email protected]

“A big mahalo to all of the state and park staff, as well as our future collaborative partners, who are pulling together to help protect one our most precious natural resources,” said Nate Serota with the Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation. “We want to make sure the community is both kept in the loop on this restoration effort and given the opportunity to be part of the positive change. So we can all be stewards of this magnificent coastline. Ultimately, our goal is to utilize our shared māna‘o to act strategically, and preserve the beach in a functional and sustainable manner, so it can be enjoyed for future generations to come. We look forward to sharing much more with the community as we progress through this kākou effort in 2025.”

Elements of this dune restoration effort are outlined in the 2022 Hawai‘i Dune Restoration Manual, with the particular case study for Kailua Beach Park commenced at the request of DPR. While this stretch of shoreline and the greater Kailua Beach dune system are considered stable, consistent erosion has narrowed the beach over the past few decades with observable changes over the past five years.
According to the Recreational Use and Management at Kailua Beach Park report published by Hawai‘i Sea Grant, over 1,700 people visit the beach park per day. That reports is part of a larger Windward O‘ahu Tourist Assessment regarding use of shoreline and public spaces in Kailua and Waimānalo.
Over 70% of beaches in Hawai‘i and 60% of beaches on Oʻahu are in a state of chronic erosion. It is estimated that 5.5 miles of beach on O‘ahu have already been lost as a result. In addition, the Honolulu Climate Change Commission suggests 3.8-feet of local sea level rise for the state by 2100, as stated in its 2022 Sea Level Rise Guidance Update. More information about the impacts of sea-level rise and beach erosion can be found in the City’s climate adaptation strategy, Climate Ready Oʻahu, adopted in February 2024. This guiding document can be found at: www.resilientoahu.org/climatereadyoahu

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