Waikiki Beach Case Study

Causes of erosion on Waikiki Beach include soil compaction, soil acidity problems, loss of soil structure, poor internal drainage, low organic matter, Pacific’s rough current wearing away the smooth surface of the sand, construction of sea walls, loss of coastal dunes buried by man made structure and fast moving motor crafts.

The past attempts to save the sand of Waikiki Beach have not been successful since it is proved to happen again. Waikiki Beach has been having erosions since the late 1800. Beach erosions in Waikiki have been a problem for decades and have resulted in at least 10 sand replenishment projects since 1939. This means 300,000 cubic yards of sand has been placed onto Waikiki Beach over the past 77 years. Seawalls, groins, piers and storm drains were counted along the Waikiki shoreline to protect itself from erosions by the 1950s. In June 2012, the state’s Department of Land and Natural Resources completed a beach replenishment project, which added 24,000 cubic yards of offshore sand across 1,730 feet of Waikiki Beach. The $2.2 million project was a good attempt although it only lasted for one year. There have been many attempts to save the sand but they were all only temporary, as erosions still continue. I think there should be a long-term plan set by checking on the beach regularly, to make the plan as effective as possible. I think making one large plan that has been created with close consideration of all affects can be successful but may increase in cost. To save the beach, people should be globally aware as many people may not know about the erosions and would be willing to help fund.

Economic Impacts:

·      Fixing erosion damage may be costly

·      Money is required to fix roads and tracks

·      Shrinking Waikiki beach can cause less visitors resulting in hundreds of millions less in expenditures

·      Hawaii relies on tourists for profit

·      The entire economy of the state is greatly shortened due to expenses of beach replenishment, loss of tourists and expensive injuries caused by the beach

·      Less houses and hotels will be sold due to all of the disruption

Social Impacts:

·      Reduced tourist counts

·      Less people on and near the beach

·      Local people have there hobbies (ex. Surfing) restricted because of the danger

·      Jobs may be jeopardized

·      Negative impact on human health

Environmental Impacts:

·      Negatively impacts soil quality

·      Effects air quality as pollution is introduced into the atmosphere

·      Contamination of water

·      Loss of crops

·      Marine and fish lives are effected due to disruption of machinery