A firsthand visit to Kaanapali in August found severely eroded beaches at the south end near the Hyatt Regency, while north Kaanapali near Royal Lahaina retained broad sandy shoreline. Erosion has been affecting multiple properties for decades, with conditions varying significantly even between neighboring resorts.
- The beach in front of Hyatt Regency Maui had almost no usable sand during an August 2025 inspection, while north Kaanapali near Royal Lahaina and the Sheraton remained in good condition.
- Maui Kai has had no sandy beach directly in front of the property for years, with its own website warning guests and offering only concrete steps for ocean access.
- Erosion is not uniform along Kaanapali — some stretches retain the wide sand the area is known for, while others have lost most of their recreational beach.
- The continuous beachwalk connecting Kaanapali resorts was found to be interrupted in places, no longer the seamless waterfront path many returning visitors expect.
- Properties marketed as oceanfront can offer very different beach experiences depending on their specific location along the shoreline, which may affect guest expectations and reviews.
Source: Beatofhawaii
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