The Waiʻehu study area extends from Waiʻehu Beach Park southeast to include Puʻuone. The shoreline consists of sand and cobble beach interspersed with hardened shoreline. Offshore is a fringing reef system buffering the shoreline from the large seasonal north swell. Waiʻehu Point and Nehe Point are dominant geographic features in this area and conveniently divide the study area into three sections for description purposes.
The area as a whole (transects 100 – 294) has experienced light erosion over time with an average rate of -0.5 ft/yr. West of Waiʻehu Point is Waiʻehu Beach (transects 100 – 156). Waiʻehu Beach Park is located to the southeast of Waiʻehu Municipal Golf Course, built in 1928. The narrow white sand beach fronting the park begins at a boulder retaining wall constructed to protect the golf course from erosion. This section of the study area has experienced light to moderate erosion over time with an average rate of -0.6 ft/yr.
Kaʻehu Beach (transects 157 – 208) is located between Waiʻehu Point and Nehe Point. Kaʻehu Beach is a curving dark sand beach. This section of coastline is known for its strong rip currents running through several sand channels during large north swell events. This area has experienced light erosion over time with an average rate of -0.4 ft/yr.
The Paukūkalo portion of the study area (transects 209 – 294) includes Nehe Point and Paukūkalo Beach through to the end of Puʻuone to the south. This beach fronts a residential neighborhood and light industrial park. This section of shoreline, cobble beach with rock rubble and boulders offshore, has experienced light to moderate erosion with an average rate of -0.4 ft/yr.
Partial coverage:
