Waikiki Beach Case Study

1) Describe the causes of erosion on Waikiki Beach. (5 marks)

Soil compaction, low organic matter, loss of soil structure, poor internal drainage, salinisation and soil acidity problems.


 

2) Describe past and present attempts that have been made to save the sand of Waikiki beach. Assess how well you think that they have worked. (10 marks)

Waikiki beach has been having erosion problems since the late 1800s . By the 1950s, more than 80 structures , including seawalls, groins, piers, and storm drains were counted along the Waikiki shoreline to protect itself from erosion. Efforts to combat erosion have been average because of the sea level rising about a foot each year, the threat of losing Waikiki beach has become more and more realistic. 52 to 72 percent of beaches on the chain of islands have eroded over the past century due to sea level rise. Even after a 2.2 million dollar sand restoration, Waikiki beach began eroding less than a year later.
All the attempts to save the sand have been temporary since the erosion continues to happen. Constant planning and check ups on the beach should be made so that our efforts could be successful. A lot of money is also required to initiate such long term and rigorous plans to save the sand of Waikiki beach. I don't think a lot of people know that Waikiki beach has a soil erosion problem, by making people globally more aware of this and fundraising to save the beach, funds could be collected to go into a long term plan to protect the beach.

 

3) Describe the economic, social, and environmental impacts of erosion of Waikiki beach for both the residents of the area, and tourists. (15 marks)




Economic:

- can be very costly to fix erosion damage

- money required to fix roads and tracks

- shrinking Waikiki beach can cause less visitors resulting in hundreds of millions less in expenditures

- Hawaii relies on tourists for profit and if they don't come, people wont make money

- decline in supply and demand 

 

Social:

- bad air quality can have a negative impact on human health

- jobs may be jeopardized

- safety in jeopardy because of all the damage at the beach

- exposed concrete can cause harm to people

Environmental:

- can negatively impact soil quality (inable to store water and nutrients)

- can ruin the air quality

- can ruin the quality of water

- loss of newly planted crops

- deposits of silt in low-lying areas