The Pīlaʻa study area (transects 44 – 97) is located on the northeast coastline of Kauaʻi. The shoreline is composed of calcareous sand beach interrupted by basalt headlands with a fringing reef offshore.
Overall, the area is eroding with an average shoreline change rate of -0.5 ft/yr. The area lends itself to division into four portions. The Waiakalua Nui Beach (transects 44 – 51) is a large pocket sand beach located to the north of Kakiu Point. This section of the study area is experiencing erosion with an average shoreline change rate of -0.9 ft/yr. Waiakalua Iki Beach (transects 52 – 69) has experienced erosion with an average shoreline change rate of -0.6 ft/yr. Pīlaʻa Beach (transects 71 – 97) is separated by a low, rocky point. The western portion (transects 71 – 85) is eroding with an average shoreline change rate of -0.5 ft/yr. The eastern portion (transects 86 – 97) has experienced erosion with an average shoreline change rate of -0.3 ft/yr. Previous studies* did not analyze the Pīlaʻa 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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