A proposal before the state would take sand replenishment on Kuhio Beach one step further.Instead of just replacing what was lost to erosion, the project would create an even bigger beach in Waikiki.
Beach erosion in Waikiki occurs at a rate of about a foot a year.
In recent years, the state has recycled sand to rebuild Waikiki beach, which was originally created from marshland in the 1920's.
High tide can often consume nearly half the beach.
"We need more beach. There’s so many people who come here and we are losing revenue,” said surf instructor, Tom Couch.
Tourism officials say Waikiki attracts billions of tourist dollars each year.
"And people come here to use the beach and if we don't have a beach we are probably not going to have very many return tourists,” said Bob Finley of the Waikiki Neighborhood Board.
According to the DLNR the state hired a company to dredge the sand from offshore, bringing in 24,000 cubic yards of sand to replenish what washed away, they also plan to widen Kuhio Beach by 40-feet.
It costs about half a million dollars to re-sand the beach.
Meanwhile, several Waikiki businesses have offered help out with the cost.
The plan needs several approvals before moving forward, including an environmental impact statement, special permits and approval by the legislature.
The state says they plan to request a multi-year permit that would allow the project to continue over the next couple of years.
A presentation regarding the sand project will be given at the Waikiki neighborhood board meeting tomorrow night at the Waikiki Community Center beginning at 7 p.m.
