The Disappearing Kailua Beach – Erosion Continues

1/10/09 Update:  Read my new post about the trees on the beach being chopped down.

A short while ago, I wrote a post called “Spend a Day in Kailua“. I included a photo of Kailua Beach. Some time after I wrote the post, I began thinking about how much my friends and family have always enjoyed going to Kailua Beach when they came to visit. It is a vast expanse of beautiful white sand … uh, wait a minute. It used to be a vast expanse of beautiful white sand. In fact, Wikipedia states that it is between 50 and 150 feet wide. No way, not now. During the past year, the sand has been eroding at an alarming rate. Here are some photos taken four years ago and similar ones taken this month. 

This photo was taken in April 2004 - Note the trees in the background

 

Kailua Beach photo taken Nov 2008

 

Close-up of tree on Kailua Beach - Nov 2008

 It makes me wonder what the beach will look like in a few years.   I read an article in the Honolulu Advertiser a while back that said some people are looking into the cause of the erosion and researching possible solutions.  I hope they come up with something before it’s gone forever…

Here are a couple of photos looking the opposite direction toward Lanikai: 

Photo taken in April 2004, lifeguard tower on flat sand

 

Taken in Nov 2008 - after lifeguard tower was moved back

The lifeguard tower had to be relocated in January 2008 because of the beach erosion.  Notice how flat the beach used to be where the lifeguard tower was located in 2004.  Now, there are 10-12 feet high sand dunes in that area. 

Tip:  If you are planning a visit to Hawaii, make sure you stop off at Kailua Beach, while there is still a beach!

12/10/08  Update:  Here is a story that appeared in Midweek today about the erosion problems at Kailua Beach.