Bill > SB1456

This bill addresses beach restoration and coastal resilience in Hawaii by expanding the legal definition of "beach restoration" and appropriating funds for two specific pilot projects on Maui. The bill broadens the definition of beach restoration to include maintaining and improving beaches and dune systems through sand and native vegetation management, placing sand on eroded beaches from approved sources, and removing abandoned materials that pose risks to public health and coastal ecosystems. Recognizing the significant threat of sea level rise, which could reach 3.9 to 5.9 feet by 2100, the bill aims to preserve beaches as a public trust resource and provide natural resilience against coastal flooding. The legislation includes two specific pilot projects: a beach restoration project in Kahana Bay and a sand restoration and dune replenishment project at Hanakaoo Park. For both projects, the funding will be split equally among the State of Hawaii (25%), Maui County (25%), and local residents or property owners (50%). The bill emphasizes the importance of preserving Hawaii's coastal environments, supporting cultural practices, and implementing nature-based solutions to climate change impacts, with a specific focus on maintaining beaches and dune systems as critical infrastructure and ecological resources.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance, Justice

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=1456&year=2025