Posted at 4:52 p.m., Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Kuhio Beach sand project on hold due to weather
Advertiser Staff
The Department of Land and Natural Resources will temporarily delay the start of its Kuhio Beach Replenishment Project until south swells and Kona winds forecast for the rest of this week have abated."Because of the potential for wind-driven waves from up to 20-plus knot Kona winds, on top of south swells this weekend, we have decided to wait a bit longer for improved conditions," said Peter Young, DLNR chairperson, in a news release.
Young said the department hoped the weather would improve by the beginning of next week.
On-site preparation began yesterday with closing off part of Kuhio beach for a staging area, and positioning of the barge in water offshore Waikiki.
During this process the chain for the barge's anchor broke, and the barge was returned to its home dock to replace the chain.
The barge will return once conditions have improved.
Meanwhile, work will continue this week onshore within the staging area, the release said.
The contractor on the project, American Marine, will be preparing a sand retention basin to receive the pumped sand and seawater mixture.
If another swell should arise once sand pumping is underway, the contingency plan is to re-anchor the pipeline and pull the barge offshore to wait it out.
The beach nourishment project is intended to stabilize and increase the size of Kuhio Beach, improve water quality and public safety, and demonstrate state-of-the-art offshore sand pumping technologies for future beach restoration efforts, DLNR said.
