north shore
Oahu homeowners face hefty fines for unauthorized erosion control
As erosion continues to threaten homes, some North Shore residents are resorting to illegal methods to protect their properties.
In short:
- Homeowners on Sunset Beach are facing fines close to $1 million for using unauthorized sandbags and other erosion control measures.
- The Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) has granted contested cases for the homeowners, who argue they had no choice but to act quickly to save their properties.
- Critics argue these methods exacerbate public beach erosion and create hazardous debris, with calls for a legislative solution to manage beach and dune erosion.
Key quote:
“I think it’s just an affront to Hawaii residents in our North Shore community. That’s the problem, in my view, of offshore owners not doing their due diligence and not really giving a rip about the community or the beach.”
— Denise Antolini, a lawyer and community advocate for beach restoration
Why this matters:
The use of unapproved sea walls and other unauthorized structures has become a last resort for homeowners trying to stave off the encroaching waters. These actions, however, can lead to significant environmental harm, disrupting marine ecosystems and exacerbating erosion in neighboring areas. Furthermore, they often provide only a temporary reprieve, as nature inevitably finds ways to circumvent human-made barriers.
Related EHN coverage:
This North Shore community wants stronger protection against disasters, climate change
Residents in Hauula have been working for years to build Oahu’s first-ever resiliency hub, a storm-resistant center that could better protect their rural, isolated and vulnerable North Shore community after a hurricane, tsunami or other disaster.
Peabody awarded sensors to monitor pollution
When residents opposed to a planned new peaker power plant began looking for data on air pollution in Peabody, they soon discovered a concerning fact — there is none.
How famous surfers and wealthy homeowners are endangering Hawaii's beaches
Rescue crews airlift hundreds stranded after Hawaii storm
Hundreds of people have been airlifted out of dangerous floodwaters on the Hawaiian island of Kauai, but authorities said Tuesday that others are still stranded at evacuation centers.