After decades of bombardment by winter swells – and recent flooding by Tropical Storm Olivia – there is serious shoreline erosion along Lower Honoapiilani Road at Kaopala Bay in Kahana.

The county Department of Public Works will hold a community meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 30, from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Maui Preparatory Academy Cafetorium to discuss the issue.

Recognizing accelerated erosion since November 2017, the county hired a coastal engineering firm to evaluate conditions at Kaopala Bay and develop potential solutions.

At Tuesday’s meeting, the firm will discuss findings of its scientific study of the area, detail recommended temporary emergency shoreline protection measures and explain possible permanent shoreline protection alternatives.

The community is encouraged to attend to review the preliminary project information and offer comments on the potential solutions.

While on the subject, it doesn’t make sense that Lower Honoapiilani Road goes from a smooth roadway with shoulders and sidewalks in Honokowai to a cracked up, narrow mess in Kahana and Napili.

What happened to the county project to improve the Lower Road in Kahana?

Based on feedback from residents after Olivia, county officials should count on area residents asking why proposed roadway improvements in the area stalled years ago.