SMA 2.2.13 - Indiscriminate Sand Replenishment

2.2.13 Sand Replenishment and Long-Term Beach Nourishment (SMA 2.2.13)
  • Insufficient turbidity impact study—failure to include indirect and secondary impacts. Area of proposed sand source site off Ala Moana from the areas outside the surf breaks known as Courts, Concessions, and Baby Haleiwa are affected by Turbidity plume from Ala Wai Canal (US PacIOOS model).
  • Sand not tested for pollutants. Potentially putting toxic sand on the beach.         
  • 70,000 cubic yards of sand (21 Olympic size swimming pools) will extend 78 feet from beach wall into the ocean, destroying rocky habitats where young fish live.
  • Insufficient study of effects on marine life and plants. Long-term impact on aquatic habitats, smothering biota, affect Native gathering rights.
  • Indiscriminate distribution of sand on beach will cater to those who wish to sun bathe or lie on the beach—creating a new Waikiki.
  • Ignores the ways residents and school groups use the beach—to fish, collect shells, observe the sea creature, science classes, etc.
  • What value do we place on preserving the country atmosphere on the beach for local citizens to utilize?
  • Costly project will be affected by climate change, King tides and storm surges. How long before sand will need to be replaced?
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Public viewpoints

If sand that contains pollutants is used for beach nourishment, the beach and the swim channel is not easily ‘flushed-out,’ the pollutants will persist and present long term health risks for bathers and beachgoers.

– Stan Sakai–

Dredging offshore sand has serious environmental impacts and should not be implemented unless there are certain threats to life or important, irreplaceable properties. Here, offshore sand mining is proposed for a sand replenishment project that is largely aesthetic.

-Bianca Isaki-

I do not believe that enough studies were done over an extended period of time to safely say that adding sand from any of the sites will not harm the fish, turtles or plant life at Magic Island or along the shore of Ala Moana Beach Park.  Don’t screw up our beaches for us pleeeeasssee. Once they killed the marine life, regrets won’t bring them back.

Zojing Tom

The SDEIS studies on sand nourishment were inadequate. The survey of the marine biota was performed only on one day, April 20, 2018 which is absurd for a marine biota study. The marine biota varies seasonally, diurnally, nocturnally, etc. Additionally, ecosystems are complex and involve relationships between different species. An impact on one species can have profound effects on many others. These kinds of relationships have not been defined.

-Stan Sakai-