The Lāwaʻi study area (transects 0 – 21) is located on the south coast of Kauaʻi. The area is bounded by Lāwaʻi Bay to the west and Ka Lae Kīki to the east. The shoreline is characterized by small pocket beaches interspersed among basaltic headlands.
Overall, the area is eroding with an average shoreline change rate of -1.0 ft/yr. There are three pocket beaches within the study area. Lāwaʻi Bay (transects 0 – 12) is located to the west of Ka Lae o Kaʻiwa. This section of the study area is experiencing erosion with an average shoreline change rate of -1.9 ft/yr. The next beach (transects 13 – 14) to the east of Spouting Horn Park has experienced erosion with an average shoreline change rate of -0.1 ft/yr. The beach (transects 15 – 21) by Kukuiʻula Landing Park has experienced no net trend over the period of study. Previous studies* did not analyze the Lāwaʻi Bay 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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