The Waimea study area is located on the southwest shore of Kauaʻi. The study area is bounded in the west by Kīkīaola Small Boat Harbor and in the east by the mouth of Waimea River. The shoreline is composed of volcanic and terrestrial sand transported alongshore from Waimea River as well as calcareous sand from the offshore fringing reef. The area is exposed to southern swell during the summer as well as persistent tradewinds.
The Waimea study area (transects 0 – 129) is experiencing accretion with an average shoreline change rate of 2.4 ft/yr. Sea Engineering* discusses the construction of Kīkīaola Harbor in 1959 which reversed a trend of severe erosion in the area. The presence of the harbor traps sand moving to the west that is transported by alongshore currents generated by tradewind waves. Sand accumulates to the east of the harbor causing the accretion observed in this study.
*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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