The Hā‘ena study area (transects 0 – 166) is located on the north shore of Kaua‘i. The area is bounded by the steep ridges of the Nā Pali coast to the west and Hā‘ena Point to the east. The shoreline is composed of carbonate sand, exposed beach rock, and basalt boulders deposited by the several streams that interrupt the beach. An extensive fringing reef lies offshore resulting in varying wave approach directions at the shoreline1. The coast in this area is exposed to large seasonal swell during the winter months.
Overall, the Hā‘ena study area has experienced significant erosion with an average shoreline change rate of -0.9 ft/yr. The study area is divided into three sections. Hā‘ena Beach Park is located in the eastern portion of the area (transects 101 – 156) and is eroding with an average
shoreline change rate of -1.1 ft/yr. The central portion of the area (transects 18 – 100) is eroding with an average shoreline change rate of -0.9 ft/yr. The western portion of the area (transects 0 – 17), which covers Hā‘ena State Park and Ke‘e Beach, is eroding with an average shoreline change rate of -0.9 ft/yr.
Study results generally agree with Sea Engineering (1992)* for this portion of coast except at Hā‘ena State Park where the vegetation line is difficult to identify with accuracy on the selected photography.
*Makai Ocean Engineering and Sea Engineering, 1991 Aerial Photograph Analysis of Coastal Erosion on the Islands of Kauai, Molokai, Lanai, Maui, and Hawaii. State of Hawaii Office of Coastal Zone Management Program.
Last updated: July 2021
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