Posted on: Friday, September 3, 2004

Beach boys wary of sand plan

Associated Press

A $500,000 project to add 10,000 cubic yards of sand — 1,000 dump truck loads — to Kuhio Beach in Waikiki could have a negative effect on the surf and ultimately drive people away from the famous beach, a group of concerned surfers told city officials.

"Surf is a big deal for us beach boys as well as for people who come to Waikiki," said Clyde Aikau, of C&K Beach Services. "I just hope your project doesn't ruin the surf."

Aikau was among those who spoke at a public hearing on the project Wednesday in Waikiki.

The sand would be pumped in from areas off shore as part of an effort to replenish the beach which experts say has eroded at a rate of about one foot a year since 1985. If successful, the pump-from-offshore method of beach replenishment could be repeated at other state beaches that are eroding.

Work on the project is expected to begin next month.

Though the contract for the work has not been awarded, the sole bidder for it is American Marine, the same company that dredged the Ala Wai Canal last year.

The project is expected to close at least part of the Diamond Head basin swimming area and a staging area on Kuhio Beach for 30 days.