Hawaii House Bill HR72

Hawaii 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/10/22
• Refer: 3/14/22

Caption

Requesting The Department Of Land And Natural Resources To Undertake Beach Nourishment From Laniakea Beach To Velzyland Beach On The North Shore Of Oahu.

Impact

The proposed beach nourishment method involves replenishing sand that has been lost through natural processes such as erosion and longshore drift. By widening the beach, it is expected to help in dissipating storm energy, potentially reducing damage to coastal properties during storms, tsunamis, and high tides. This initiative highlights a proactive approach to addressing the impacts of climate change on Hawaii’s coastlines.

Summary

House Resolution 72 (H.R. 72) seeks to address the issue of beach erosion on the North Shore of Oahu due to rising sea levels, a significant effect of climate change. The resolution requests that the Department of Land and Natural Resources undertake a beach nourishment project from Laniakea Beach to Velzyland Beach. This initiative is seen as vital for restoring the width of the beach, which has seen a drastic reduction because of erosion, thus threatening coastal properties and infrastructure.

Contention

While supporters of H.R. 72 advocate for its potential environmental benefits, there may be contention regarding the funding and logistics of executing such a project. Discussions might arise concerning the prioritization of beach nourishment over other pressing environmental issues or urban development projects. Moreover, the effectiveness of such interventions in the long term may also be debated, given the ongoing impacts of climate change.