The Kipu Kai study area (transects 0 – 111) is located on the southeast coast of Kaua‘i. The shoreline is composed of carbonate sand beach interrupted by basalt sea cliffs and limestone.
Overall, the area is experiencing erosion with an average shoreline change rate of -0.3 ft/yr. The area lends itself to division into four portions. The southern section is Kipu Kai Beach (transects 0 – 47) bounded by Lae o Kawelikoa and Lae o Molehu. Kipu Kai Beach has experienced no net
shoreline change over time. Between Lae o Molehu and Lae o Kuahonu (transects 48 – 54) is a small pocket beach that is experiencing chronic erosion with an average shoreline change rate of -1.3 ft/yr. North of Kauhonu beach (transects 55 – 79) the shoreline has experienced erosion with an average shoreline change rate of -0.5 ft/yr. The northernmost beach (transects 80-111) is experiencing erosion with an average shoreline change rate of -0.3 ft/yr. Previous studies* did not analyze the Kipu Kai 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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