Originally published Monday, December 8, 2008 at 3:53 PM
Comments (5)
E-mail article
Print view
Hawaii tourism could dive if Waikiki beaches erode
Hawaii studies how to save the sands of Waikiki beaches which are threatened by erosion
HONOLULU — Hawaii's tourism-driven economy would plummet financially if the world-famous beaches in Waikiki vanish from erosion, according to a new report.
A $60,000 study financed by the Hawaii Tourism Authority and the Waikiki Improvement Association estimates that a complete erosion of the Waikiki shoreline would make tourism tumble and trigger the loss of 6,000 jobs. It estimated the financial costs could reach as much as $2 billion a year in lost spending, lost jobs and more.
The study asked 500 visitors whether they would return to Waikiki if the beach were "completely eroded." Erosion is a problem along many Hawaii popular beaches. There is also the threat of sea level rise, but how long it would take for Waikiki's beaches to completely disappear is unclear.
Some estimate within a decade or two.
"The beach is going to disappear (if nothing is done)," said Chip Fletcher, a University of Hawaii coastal geology professor. "It's already gone along much of the Waikiki shoreline."
The state Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands said it would cost $30 million to protect the beach. It is now drafting a 10-year plan to fight erosion.
Meanwhile, the owner of at least one hotel, the Sheraton Waikiki, is preparing its own $4 million effort to fight erosion on the beach fronting its property. A public meeting on the plan is set for Dec. 17.
"Obviously, we're going to have to spend some money to maintain the beach," said Rick Egged, president of the Waikiki Improvement Association. "The purpose of the study was to get hard data of the value of the beach."
The report says about 58 percent of visitors from the U.S. and Canada would "not consider staying in Waikiki" if the beach were completely eroded. With visitors from Japan, the majority say they would return with just 14 percent saying that they would not come if the beach were gone.
The state in January 2007 completed a $475,000 demonstration project to pump 9,500 cubic yards of sands from offshore to Kuhio Beach in Waikiki. The project is supposed to be repeated within five years.
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
Thanksgiving travel plans expected to grow slightly
Ask Travel: A free day in Prague
Ban Long Lao is a peek at traditional Hmong village life

LA Galaxy's David Beckham
Los Angeles Galaxy's David Beckham talks about the upcoming MLS Cup final during after a team practice.
nwjobs

Post a comment

Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
How to tell your office you're gravely ill
Post a comment
nwautos

Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment
- Craigslist adoption ad: A plea by young mother-to-be? A scam?
- 'The Road' takes Viggo Mortensen to Mount St. Helen's and Astoria, Ore.
- Italian lead prosecutor argues Knox motive was hatred
- Italian prosecutors request life sentence for UW student
- Man shot in chest on E. Union Street in Capitol Hill
- Child-support error costs nearly $21,000
- Washington state wines make annual best-of list
- Tugboat sinks in Seattle's waterfront
- Mariners Blog | A Mariners-Tigers swap makes a whole lot of sense for both teams
- Lynnwood is reinventing itself — again
- Senate vote clears hurdle
234 - Mariners add six to 40-man roster
149 - Tight Senate vote launches health care over hurdle
118 - Child-support error costs nearly $21,000
111 - Palin excitement builds in Tri-Cities
103 - Vikings easily beat the Seahawks
97 - Prosecutor requests life in prison for Amanda Knox
86 - Cutting through breast-cancer confusion
82 - Game thread
68 - New York terror trials will restore faith in rule of law
46
- Washington state wines make annual best-of list
- Nonprofits get creative using Twitter and Facebook to make donation easier
- It's possible to recover a life lost to hoarding
- Lynnwood is reinventing itself — again
- Great places to cross-country ski for free (or almost) in the Methow
- Child-support error costs nearly $21,000
- 'The Road' takes Viggo Mortensen to Mount St. Helen's and Astoria, Ore.
- Recipes: Sesame Pork Roast, Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes, Gingerbread with Lemon Sauce and more
- Banff: powder, peaks & purity
- 175 foster kids in Washington get 'forever families'






