The Lumahaʻi study area (transects 0 – 58) is located on the north shore of Kauaʻi. The area is bounded by Lae o Kolokolo to the west and Lae o Makahoa to the east. Lumahaʻi River flows through the westernmost portion of the area. The area is exposed to large seasonal swell during the winter months while strong tradewinds drive alongshore currents that transport sediment during the summer months. The sandy shoreline is composed of carbonate sand and fine grained terrigenous sediment.
Lumahaʻi beach is highly variable. Changes in the 1987-1988 shoreline positions indicate an average summer-winter difference of 176 ft with a maximum of 300 ft (transect 47). Overall, Lumahaʻi beach is experiencing erosion with an average shoreline change rate of -0.4 ft/yr. The eastern portion of the area (transects 29 – 58) is eroding with an average shoreline change rate of -0.5 ft/yr while the western portion (transects 0 – 28) is experiencing erosion with an average shoreline change rate of -0.4 ft/yr. Previous studies* did not analyze the Lumahaʻi beach 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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