Kā‘anapali Beach Restoration
Restoring Kā‘anapali Beach for Future Generations
Kāʻanapali Beach is a natural and cultural treasure, but chronic erosion and rising seas are threatening its future.
Without action, we risk losing portions of Kāʻanapali Beach, the Beachwalk and a place where generations of families have gathered, paddled, fished and carried on cultural traditions.
Our goal is to restore the beach to its healthy condition and footprint from 1988, guided by community input and expanded cultural and environmental protections.
What is Happening?
The beach is changing beyond its natural cycle.
More than 30 years of scientific studies have documented how Kāʻanapali Beach is changing, and those changes have become increasingly visible in recent years. The beach has narrowed in some areas and portions of the Kāʻanapali Beachwalk have been damaged, due to chronic erosion, avulsion events, and extreme seasonal erosion. These impacts have accelerated as sea-level rise drives record high water levels and more wave energy onto the shoreline.
Seasonal sand movement is a natural part of how Kāʻanapali Beach functions, particularly in the northern littoral cell where large volumes of sand shift between Puʻu Kekaʻa and Hanakaʻōʻō Point throughout the year.
However, human-induced shoreline changes and avulsion events are accelerating the loss of available sand, and a significant amount of sand that was once on the beach has been carried offshore. It is now beyond the reach of the beach’s circulatory systems and cannot be recaptured through the normal natural process.
Read more about our proposal to restore Kāʻanapali Beach below.
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A Science-Backed, Nature-Based Solution
We are proposing a science-backed, nature-based solution to save Kāʻanapali Beach from the impacts of sea-level rise and erosion and ensure it can be enjoyed by future generations. The plan includes beach restoration in the Hanakaʻōʻō Littoral Cell, berm enhancement in the Kāʻanapali Littoral Cell, and the creation of protodunes with native, salt-tolerant vegetation to help hold sand in place and build long-term resilience.
Watch the video to learn more. →
Key Elements
Restore approximately 50,000 cubic yards of sand between Hanakaʻōʻō Beach Park and Hanakaʻōʻō Point, widening the dry beach in places by 41 to 78 feet.
Enhance the berm between Hanakaʻōʻō Point and Puʻu Kekaʻa with approximately 25,000 cubic yards of sand, raising the berm elevation by 3.5 feet.
Create protodunes and dune pathways in the Hanakaʻōʻō Littoral Cell, with a native vegetation planting plan to stabilize the dune and anchor sand on the beach.
Stronger Because of What We Heard
Shaped by community feedback, this proposed project marks the first step in a comprehensive county, state and federal permitting process aimed at helping address chronic erosion while protecting the beach, shoreline habitat and the traditions and recreation that depend on it.
Key changes include:
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Enhanced cultural protections: Expanded the protective buffer around Puʻu Kekaʻa from 150 feet to 280 feet and added a full-time cultural monitor with authority to observe work on the beach and in the water throughout construction and to work with the project team to halt work when appropriate.
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Reduced construction footprint and operational impact: Eliminated construction staging at Hanakaʻōʻō Beach Park, scheduled in-water work outside the canoe paddling season, and expanded community outreach through proactive coordination with first responders, canoe clubs, cultural practitioners, and the broader community.
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Long-term planning and stewardship: Commitment to developing a long-term Adaptation Pathway Plan, including dune restoration feasibility study, and a Beachwalk management plan.
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Expanded monitoring an environmental protections: Added surveys and monitoring, including additional water quality monitoring by an independent third party.
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Forward looking modifications: Changed the sand profile to protodunes and added native planting and reef safe landscaping.
Respecting Areas Of Cultural Sensitivity
Protecting cultural resources has been a priority throughout project development and has helped shape the project design from the start. Based on community feedback, the proposal now includes enhanced protections around Puʻu Kekaʻa, accommodations for canoe clubs and cultural practitioners, adjustments to construction methods and timing, and cultural monitoring throughout construction to help minimize impacts.
The offshore sand recovery area was also moved farther from shore and reduced in size in response to feedback from the Maui Lānaʻi Islands Burial Council.
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Expanded buffer: Protective buffer around Puʻu Kekaʻa expanded from 150 feet to 280 feet.
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Reduced footprint: Offshore sand collection area reduced by approximately 20 percent.
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Cultural monitor: Full access to observe marine and shoreline work throughout construction, alongside a full-time archaeological monitor under an Archaeological Monitoring Plan.
Environmental Safeguards
Kāʻanapali Beach restoration is a nature-based, science-backed solution to chronic erosion and sea-level rise — restoring habitat and long-term coastal resilience by returning sand to the shoreline.
The project’s protective measures were developed over more than seven years of environmental study and consultation with state and federal agencies, scientists, and community members.
Long-Term Environmental Monitoring
Kāʻanapali Beach restoration is a nature-based, science-backed solution to chronic erosion and sea-level rise — restoring habitat and long-term coastal resilience by returning sand to the shoreline.
The project’s protective measures were developed over more than seven years of environmental study and consultation with state and federal agencies, scientists, and community members.
Program | During Construction | Post-Construction |
|---|---|---|
Coral reef and marine biology | Ongoing monitoring at established baseline stations throughout construction | At 30 days, 6 months, and 12 months post-construction; then annually for 3 years, with an option to extend up to 10 years |
Water quality | Ongoing monitoring throughout construction, including by an independent third party | At 30 days, 6 months, and 12 months post-construction; then annually for 3 years, with an option to extend up to 10 years |
Beach topography | Ongoing surveys throughout construction | Within 72 hours of sand placement to measure as-built conditions; then at 30 days, 6 months, and 12 months post-construction, for 3 years, with an option to extend up to 10 years |
FAQ
The CDUA is the first permit application in a review process that spans county, state, and federal agencies. Permitting activities are anticipated to continue through 2026. Construction is expected to take approximately two to three months in total, including mobilization, sand recovery, transport, placement, and demobilization — an estimated 63 to 75 calendar days.
The current proposal calls for sand to be recovered using a moored crane barge equipped with an environmental clamshell bucket, a method chosen because it minimizes turbidity and impacts to the marine environment.
The sand would then be loaded onto transport barges and delivered to the shoreline, where it would be placed on the beach using established best management practices, including turbidity containment barriers, to help protect water quality and nearby coral.
During construction, temporary safety zones will be established around active work areas, but outside those limited areas, activities such as surfing, swimming, paddling, fishing, diving and snorkeling can continue.
Work is also scheduled to occur outside the canoe paddling season, and the project team will coordinate closely with Ocean Safety, canoe clubs and other ocean users throughout construction.
Studies indicate there may be temporary changes to surf conditions at Hanakaʻōʻō Point during the first summer swell season after beach restoration as the beach naturally adjusts, but those effects are expected to diminish with each subsequent swell season.
The beach will remain open overall, though active work areas will be temporarily cordoned off for public safety, with designated crossing points staffed by crossing guards.
Lateral beach access will be maintained as much as possible throughout construction, and the project team will post regular updates on affected areas and timing to help minimize disruptions.
The project will be privately funded by Kāʻanapali resort properties and the Pilikahakai Foundation.
Sign to Save Kāʻanapali Beach
Severe erosion is threatening the future of Kāʻanapali Beach. If we don't act now, we risk losing it forever. Add your name to support a nature-based solution designed to save the beach for future generations.
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