When you look offshore of Waikiki you see surf -- the state sees sand -- 24,000 cubic yards of it that will be pumped up and onto a 1,700 foot stretch of Waikiki beach from the Duke Kahanamoku statue up just past the Royal Hawaiian."We must take care of these beaches that are so important to us economically, socially, culturally," said William Aila, director of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.
Taking care means getting it back to how wide it used to be -- at least as far back as 1982. The replenishment will widen this portion of beach by about 37 feet.
'"We're going to work with nature to make sure that we have a beach experience for visitors and local people that's going to be worthy of one of the greatest travel venues in the whole world," said Gov. Neil Abercrombie.
A similar project -- but less than half the size and scope -- was done in 2007 on Kuhio Beach.
"We demonstrated that it's not only possible, it's very successful," said Aila.
But it is costly -- $2.5 million. Kyoya Company -- Sheraton's parent company is offsetting a fifth of the cost. The area fronts its Royal Hawaiian and Moana Surfrider properties among other operators. Sheraton says it will have no impact either way on the coastal setback challenge of the city's approval for its new 26-story beachfront tower. They say the setback is measured from a point already underwater.
"It does not make a difference whatsoever," said Ernest Nishizaki. "The beach is something we feel is necessary to be built. And frankly our project does not go anywhere beyond our current seawall that we have."
The DLNR and governor say more areas could use this kind of restoration.
"If it's possible, if all this works out, believe me I'd like to see a wider beach all the way down to DeRussy and on past the Hawaiian Village, past the Lagoon area if we can," Gov. Abercrombie said.
Work will start later this fall to get past the summer swell. The state says all permits are already in place and that the job has already gone out to bid.
