The Kāwililīpoa study area (transects 513 – 617) is located on the south coast of Maui between a groin in the south and Koʻieʻie Fishpond in the north. The shoreline is composed of calcareous sand beach and artificial revetments. The coast is exposed to south swell in summer months and Kona storm waves. A shallow fringing reef protects the shoreline from the full energy of open-ocean waves. In addition to Koʻieʻie Fishpond, remains of three other fishponds are found just offshore and may be a factor in the pattern of shoreline change in the area.
The Kāwililīpoa shoreline is characterized by alternating cells of erosion and accretion along the shore. The south end of the study area (transects 513 – 526) has been approximately stable to slightly erosive with most rates less erosive than -0.3 ft/yr. An accreted cusp of sand has formed at Kāwililīpoa (transects 527 – 560) since 1900 or earlier with annual accretion rates as high as 4.6 ft/yr around transect 552. A small area of erosion at transects 561 – 579, with erosive rates up to -0.8 ft/yr, separates Kāwililīpoa from another accreted cusp at transects 580 – 608 with rates as high as 1.9 ft/yr. The beach inside Koʻieʻie Fishpond (transects 609 – 617) has eroded at up to -2.3 ft/yr resulting in loss of the beach at transects 609 – 612 and 616, and construction of stone revetments to protect shorefront properties.
Last updated: July 2021
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