State Seal

 

DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES

 

News Release

     LINDA LINGLE              

           GOVERNOR

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                              PETER T. YOUNG, CHAIRPERSON

                                                                                                                                              Phone: (808) 587-0401

                                                                                                                                              Fax: (808) 587-0390

                                                                                                                                             

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

For Immediate Release: April 17, 2006

  

DLNR Will Delay Startup Of Kuhio Beach
Sand Replenishment Project

HONOLULU - The Department of Land and Natural Resources has delayed the Kuhio Beach sand replenishment project originally scheduled to begin this week.

The department has been conducting bacteria tests at the target site where submerged sand would be recovered and transported to Kuhio Beach via a hydraulic sand dredge and pipeline system from a barge moored approximately 2,000 feet off shore.

Once transported to the beach, the sand would be dried out and then dispersed to replenish the eroded beach.

Last week, the department received word that bacterial levels in the sand at the submerged recovery site had risen.

"In the interest of public safety we are delaying the project pending a new set of test results due next week Monday, April 24," said Peter Young, DLNR chairperson.

"We will make a determination at that time whether or not the project will proceed or if we will be delayed indefinitely."

"Because the project is expected to take approximately 30 days, the window of opportunity for this project is somewhat narrow. If we delay start-up beyond next week, we will be approaching a season where south swells are traditional, further stalling the project," concluded Young.

KUHIO BEACH SAND REPLENISHMENT PROJECT FACTS

  • This 30-day demonstration project will test new, cost-effective technology that can reclaim beach sand that erosion over time has washed into near shore deposits and return it onshore to re-nourish Kuhio beach.
  • Cost for this demonstration project is approximately $500,000.
  • This is not introducing new sand, but bringing back the sand that was once there, and that is compatible with the existing sand beach.
  • Kuhio Beach has a long history of engineering and beach nourishment, having undergone regular beach nourishment to maintain a sandy beach since 1939, when the north section of the Kuhio beach breakwater was built.
  • Past beach nourishment efforts have been carried out regularly, but little has been done to maintain Kuhio Beach since the last major nourishment effort in 1975.
  • The renourishment will temporarily restore Kuhio beach, providing a much-needed source of beach-quality sand to eroded areas of Waikiki.
  • Project objectives are to improve the size of the dry beach at Kuhio Beach, and to demonstrate state of the art offshore sand pumping technologies for future beach restoration efforts.
  • Dredging work will involve:
    - delivery of 10,000 cubic yards of dredged sand from the offshore area to Kuhio Beach,
    - separation and disposal of non-beach compatible material including, coral rubble,
    - management and grading of discharged dredged material on the beach,
    - management of water effluent and spoils, stockpiling of suitable sand,
    - preparation of an operations plan, with best management practices, and water quality monitoring,
    - coordination of a public safety plan with the City and County of Honolulu, Water Safety Division and Department of Facilities Maintenance, and
    - preparation of an after-action report.
  • DLNR has worked with the state Dept. of Health, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Coastal Zone Management Program, NOAA-National Marine Fisheries and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to ensure the project meets all state and federal requirements for environmental quality control.
  • A University of Hawai‘i sand thickness survey identified several potential offshore sand sources in near shore Waikiki waters that are viable for beach nourishment. The survey identifies the sand thickness and sand compatibility of the offshore sand pockets to the existing beach at Kuhio.
  • The project calls for sand to be pumped from these offshore deposits back to shore, thus “recycling” sand that is thought to have originated from previous beach nourishment efforts. The sand has since eroded and moved offshore.
  • The data obtained from this project will be used to establish appropriate environmental and design parameters, cost estimates, pumping system designs and production rates for future beach nourishment efforts.
  • This information will be summarized in an after-action report to the State of Hawai‘i describing and evaluating the project design and implementation and environmental considerations.


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    For more information, media contact:
    Clifford Inn
    DLNR Community Education and Outreach Coordinator
    Phone: (808) 587-0407