The Kamaʻole study area (transects 335 – 401) is located on the south shore of Maui between the Kīhei Small Boat Harbor in the south and Kaluaihākōkō Point in the north. Basalt headlands separate the calcareous sand beaches at Kamaʻole Beach Parks 1, 2, and 3, and a narrow pocket beach north of Kaluaihākōkō Point. The shoreline in this area is exposed to south swell in summer and Kona storm waves.
The beach at Kamaʻole Beach Park 1 (transects 370 – 398) has been relatively stable to accreting since 1912 with an average rate of 0.5 ft/yr. The beaches at Kamaʻole Beach Parks 2 (transects 350 – 369) and 3 (transects 335 -349) have experienced mild erosion with average rates of -0.1 ft/yr and -0.2 ft/yr, respectively. However, while the long-term trend of erosion appears mild, periodic erosion from large waves is a significant hazard along this portion of coast, indicated by the February 1963 historical shoreline position.
Last updated: July 2021
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