The Kauapea study area (transects 0 – 142) is located on the north coast of Kauaʻi. The shoreline is composed of calcareous sand beach interrupted by basalt headlands with a fringing reef offshore.
Overall, the area is eroding at an average rate of -2.6 ft/yr. The area is highly variable with portions of the beaches in imagery from 1987 and 1988 varying over 100 ft between images. The area lends itself to division into five portions for description purposes. The most western portion (transects 0 – 5) is experiencing erosion with an average shoreline change rate of -0.8 ft/yr. The next section of beach (transects 6 – 39) has experienced slight erosion with an average shoreline change rate of -0.4 ft/yr. Kalihiwai beach (transects 40 – 58) is bounded by Kapukaʻamoi Point and Kalihiwai River within Kalihiwai Bay. This section of the study area has experienced no net trend over the period of study. Kauapea beach (transects 59 – 142) to the west of Kilauea Point is separated by a low, rocky point. This portion of the area is the most seasonally variable. Overall, Kauapea beach is experiencing erosion with an average shoreline change rate of -4.2 ft/yr. Data at the western portion of Kauapea beach (transects 59 – 96) indicates net long-term erosion with an average shoreline change rate of -4.3 ft/yr. This is slightly higher erosion trend than the eastern portion (transects 97 – 142) with an average shoreline change rate of -4.1 ft/yr. Previous studies* did not analyze the Kauapea 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
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