The Nāwiliwili study area (transects 0 – 30) is located on the east coast of Kauaʻi. The area is bounded by Ninini Point to the northeast and Carter Point to the southwest. The shoreline is characterized by small pocket beaches interspersed among basaltic headlands.
Overall, the area is experiencing slight accretion with an average shoreline change rate of 0.1 ft/yr. There are three pocket beaches within the study area. Kalapakī Beach (transects 0 – 21) is located within Nawiliwili Bay to the north of Kūkiʻi Point. This section of the study area is accreting with an average shoreline change rate of 0.4 ft/yr. Ninini Beach (transects 23 – 27) has experienced erosion with an average shoreline change rate of -0.8 ft/yr. The next beach (transects 28 – 30) has experienced erosion with an average shoreline change rate of -0.6 ft/yr. Previous studies* did not analyze the Nāwiliwili study area shoreline.
*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
Directions: To view a larger image of the photo, click on the image. To download the georeferenced TIFF version of the photo, click on the name
