The Pālama study area is located on the south coast of Kauaʻi. The area extends from Kōheo Point in the west to Pālama Beach in the east. The area is comprised of basalt rock bluffs and headlands with boulders, cobble, and sand dominating the shoreline. The coastline is exposed to swell from the south during the summer months. The two sandy beaches within this study area are located at the eastern end, to the south and east of Nōmilu Fishpond.
The beach at Maka o Kahaʻi Point (transects 98 – 100) is experiencing slight erosion with an average shoreline change rate of -0.2 ft/yr. Pālama Beach (transects 102 – 121) also exhibits erosion with an average shoreline change rate of -0.5 ft/yr. Previous studies* do not include the Pālama region in their analysis.
*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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