The Wailua study area (transects 146 – 337) is located on the east coast of Kauaʻi. The shoreline is composed of carbonate sand beach interrupted by basalt headlands, hardened shoreline and boulder groins. A fringing reef extends offshore the length of Waipouli Beach. The area is exposed to persistent tradewinds and rough seas throughout the year.
Overall, the area has experienced erosion with an average shoreline change rate of -0.3 ft/yr. The area lends itself to division into four portions. The most northern portion (transects 146 – 212) extends south from Waikaea Canal to a small discharge canal near transect 212. This section is part of Waipouli Beach and has experienced erosion with an average shoreline change rate of -0.5 ft/yr. The rest of Waipouli Beach to the south (transect 214 – 287) has experienced erosion with an average shoreline change rate of -0.4 ft/yr. Between Alakukui Point and a boulder revetment to the south is a 600 ft length of beach (transects 289 – 300). This portion has experienced erosion with an average shoreline change rate of -1.0 ft/yr. Wailua Beach (transects 302 – 337) has experienced accretion with an average shoreline change rate of 0.4 ft/yr. Previous studies* found similar trends in shoreline change for the Wailua study area.
*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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