Kaanapali Beach on Maui, a popular destination known for its pristine shoreline, is facing significant coastal erosion, prompting officials and adjacent luxury resorts to propose a large-scale sand replenishment project. The plan involves trucking in thousands of cubic yards of sand to rebuild the shrinking beach, which has seen sections of its shoreline recede as much as two feet per year.
Several beachfront hotels, including the Westin Maui Resort, Marriott's Maui Ocean Club, and the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa, are directly impacted by the changing coastline. In March 2026, a Kona storm caused damage to a walkway in front of the Hyatt Regency, leading the resort to seek an emergency permit for a 360-foot "erosion protection skirt." This proposal, along with ongoing sand placement efforts, has drawn opposition from local community members.
Kai Nishiki, executive director of Maui Nui Resiliency Hui, expressed concerns that shoreline hardening measures could negatively affect access to and the cultural significance of Hanaka‘ōpali Beach Park. This park is described as a vital community gathering space for celebrations and daily use, and locals fear development will displace traditional activities.
"It's the last beach where folks really feel at home, where they're not pushed out by tourism," Nishiki stated. "It’s a living cultural space that local people are using every single day, so any potential negative impacts due to a neighboring parcel installing de facto shoreline hardening is very concerning."
The Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa began laying sand beneath its paved walkway in early April. The company has paused plans for a more permanent barrier to allow state officials more time for review and to continue community discussions. This action follows a previous $10 million restoration plan proposed in 2023, which aimed to restore the beach's width using sand additions to its northern and southern sections. That project, intended as a medium-term solution to mitigate coastal hazards and improve ecological functions, was ultimately rejected by the Board of Land and Natural Resources due to public opposition, with some advocating for a "managed retreat" of coastal properties instead.
Experts acknowledge the complexity of the situation. Balsam Nehme, director of sustainability at Sidara, emphasized the need for long-term planning that integrates engineering, environmental considerations, and local knowledge. She suggested solutions like restoring natural buffers, setting buildings back from vulnerable shorelines, and improving drainage systems.
Dr. Leatherman, a professor at Florida International University's Department of Earth and Environment, noted that while Kaanapali Beach is somewhat protected from large oceanic waves by neighboring islands, it remains vulnerable to storms. He stated there is "no easy solution" when infrastructure is at risk, but immediate action is necessary.
Despite the ongoing erosion and debate over solutions, Kaanapali Beach continues to attract tourists, with resorts like the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort remaining popular and commanding high nightly rates. The area, developed as Hawaii's first master-planned resort district in 1959, has a long history of tourism, with its first hotels opening in the early 1960s. The long-term viability of these establishments in the face of rising sea levels and increased erosion remains a significant challenge.