Kaanapali Beach has significantly narrowed over decades, and a new nonprofit backed by hotel and condo owners is proposing a sand restoration project to rebuild it to 1988 conditions. The plan faces opposition from advocates who argue structures should be moved back rather than the beach artificially rebuilt.
- Kaanapali Beach has visibly narrowed since the late 1980s, with exposed rock, drainage pipes, and fenced erosion zones now affecting parts of the shoreline.
- A state-backed sand pumping project previously cleared environmental review but lost funding in 2023 due to cost concerns and marine impact objections.
- Hotel and condo owners have formed a nonprofit to revive a ‘nature-based’ restoration plan aimed at restoring the beach to roughly its 1988 width, with state permit applications expected soon.
- Opponents favor ‘managed retreat’ — allowing the shoreline to migrate naturally and relocating structures inland rather than engineering the beach.
- The new proposal will trigger another state environmental review and public hearing process before any work could begin.
Source: Newser
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