According to the County of Maui Department of Planning, high rates of historical shoreline erosion are documented for Maalaea Bay Beach.

WAILUKU — A project to initiate a Maalaea Village Coastal Resilience and Erosion Management Plan is getting underway, the County of Maui Department of Planning announced.

This project seeks a proactive and holistic approach to manage worsening coastal erosion at Maalaea Bay Beach by exploring the feasibility of coastal resilience strategies, including erosion mitigation options and relocation of threatened structures.

The project area spans from Maalaea Harbor to Haycraft Park. Last month, contractors from Moffat & Nichol in Honolulu conducted a sand resource study offshore of Maalaea Harbor.

The study aims to identify, characterize and quantify possible sources of offshore sand that could support beach restoration options for Maalaea Bay Beach.

To explore managed retreat options, contractors will be developing an analysis of the planning steps involved in the relocation of buildings and infrastructure.

Condominium complexes along Hauoli Street built close to the shoreline prior to coastal management programs are threatened by coastal hazards.

Existing shoreline hardening structures are in deteriorating condition, and some are scheduled for removal or limited temporary repairs.

This 12-month project is being facilitated by the County of Maui Department of Planning with technical assistance from the University of Hawaii Sea Grant Program and funding support from the Maui County Council.

The Maalaea Village Association is also providing partnership support.

This coastal-resilience community planning effort will provide next steps and proactive options for protecting at-risk properties and infrastructure as well as preserving the coastal ecosystem.

Coastal erosion in Hawaii is a continuing and worsening problem in the face of sea level rise, with 85 percent of Maui shorelines experiencing long-term erosion.

For more information, contact Erin Derrington, County of Maui senior shoreline planner, at erin.derrington@co.maui.hi.us and Tara Owens, coastal processes and hazards specialist with the University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program, at taram@hawaii.edu.