County to Repair Coastal Dune in Kīhei

Courtesy photo

A project to provide targeted sand dune restoration at the southern end of Kamaole I Beach Park is slated to begin next week and last up to three weeks, the county announced on Tuesday.

The project will improve degraded conditions from intense use and high wave erosion.

County officials say coastal dune restoration is an increasing priority as extensive sand dunes on Maui are a key part of a healthy beach system.

Vegetated dunes trap windblown sand, store excess sand reserves and serve as natural erosion buffers. Dunes also provide habitat for native and endangered plants, insects and shorebirds.

“Maui has benefited from a long-standing and very successful program of dune restoration. This project is another good example of dune management as a pro-active measure in the face of coastal erosion and sea level rise,” University of Hawaiʻi Sea Grant Program representative Tara Owens said in a press release.

The county has partnered with Hawaiʻi Sea Grant and community volunteers to complete the project.

Restoration efforts will include replacing sand, re-designating shoreline access pathways, installing dune signs and re-establishing native dune plants.

Crews will use sand that the Department of Land and Natural Resources dredged and stockpiled from the Kīhei Boat Ramp last year.

According to the county, the dredged sand must be replaced within the same beach system in the South Maui region to mitigate sand losses and beach erosion.

Sand will be transported from the Kīhei Boat Ramp and placed within the dune restoration area at Kamaʻole I Beach Park.

There will be intermittent roadway and sidewalk closures throughout the duration of the project to allow for truck access.

Drivers are asked to use alternate routes to South Kīhei Road, such as Piʻilani Highway or Liloa Drive.

Impacts will occur along South Kīhei Road, south of the restroom to the southern boundary of the park, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The project is not expected to affect public access to the beach park’s restrooms or showers.

For more information, call 270-7855 or send an email to don.couch@co.maui.hi.us.