Kuhio Beach project hits wall of criticism

By Jessica Webster
Advertiser Staff Writer

City bulldozers have ripped into another phase of the popular Kuhio Beach Park improvements, but state researchers and beach conservationists have raised a warning flag, saying the project would destroy part of Waikiki Beach.

The city contends that the project is based on overwhelming public demand for more shaded and grassy areas on the beach, and will not affect beach erosion.

But a contingent of beach enthusiasts — including a University of Hawai'i researcher and a representative with the state Department of Land and Natural Resources — is concerned about the environmental consequences of the city's beach projects, including Kuhio and Queen's Surf.

"Fundamentally, it doesn't make sense to build anything on a sandy beach," said UH geologist and beach expert Chip Fletcher. "The beach in the Kuhio area has been destroyed by covering it with dirt and grass and cement, and that's what this new design looks like. I don't think the city has the data or has consulted the experts. This is the state's most important beach, and the loss seems to be going over everybody's heads. I'm aghast at what the city is doing."

City spokeswoman Carol Costa responds that she has fielded nothing but public praise and excitement for the projects.

Bright orange fencing from Kapahulu Avenue to the Honolulu Aquarium signals the start of the city's newest $2 million beach project. The construction includes up to 60 additional coconut trees, more grassy areas, a renovated irrigation system, improved lighting and improvements to the comfort station.

It's an extension of the Kalakaua promenade, which some say has brought more Hawai'i residents into Waikiki.

In the process, warns Fletcher, who is part of a team of experts who study the erosion of Waikiki Beach, each sea wall and paved or grassy area that the city constructs along the beach covers sand underneath it, contributing to more shoreline erosion.

Fletcher uses before and after photographs of the Kuhio Beach and shoreline to show what the city's construction of sea walls and grassy areas has done to the beach. The photos show waves lapping against sea walls, and washing over the roots of coconut trees.

"People don't plant trees in the ocean," Fletcher said.

Still, Waikiki beachgoers aren't convinced that losing Kuhio Beach sand was a travesty.

"The sand was bad. It was a few inches of sand covering rock-hard ground," said C&K Service beachboy Dewey Medeiros. "Everything with these new improvements is good; the grass and the shade gives people a place to relax."

Lifeguards, surfers and other shop owners cheer the city for the new restroom and shaded areas.

"It's good to see tax money being put to good use," said Big Island resident Kaneala Gonzales. "I lived here 13 years ago, and I think all of these improvements are simply more pleasant."

City designer Eric Crispin said the city is simply responding to the public's demand for cooler areas on a hot and unused portions of sand, and noted that the state has efforts pending to replenish Waikiki beach sand.

"I don't think our project has anything to do with the sand," said Costa. "People really like the improvements and the grassy areas."

However, Sam Lemmo, with the Coastal Lands Program in the Department of Land and Natural Resources, said the city's various beach improvement projects are cause for concern, given the bigger Waikiki Beach erosion picture.

Fletcher calls the construction "destruction: the untold story."

"I don't know why people aren't recognizing this as a problem," Fletcher said. "It's a shame. Maybe they're sitting on the sea wall, or they're just walking beyond it. People can walk along the sidewalk, and it looks great. I think it looks great ... but at high tide, you can't put your towel down."