The Poʻipū study area (transects 0 – 21) is located on the south coast of Kauaʻi. The area is bounded by Ka Lae O Kaʻiwa to the west and Makahūʻena Point to the east. The shoreline is characterized by small pocket beaches interspersed among basaltic headlands.
Overall, the area is undergoing erosion with an average shoreline change rate of -0.7 ft/yr. The area lends itself to division into three portions. The western portion (transects 65 – 97) is located between Ka Lae O Kaʻiwa and Kihouna. This section is experiencing erosion with an average shoreline change rate of -0.7 ft/yr. Poʻipū Beach Park (transects 98 – 118) to the east of Kihouna has experienced erosion with an average shoreline change rate of -0.5 ft/yr. Brennecke Beach (transects 119 – 123) has experienced chronic erosion with an average shoreline change rate of – 1.1 ft/yr. Previous studies* did not analyze the Poʻipū 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.
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Last updated: July 2021
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