Erosion for Oceanfront Properties

Written By Travis Speck

Coastal erosion on the west side of Maui County has been accelerating for decades, driven by sea level rise, powerful storms, and decades of shoreline development that have interfered with the natural processes of sand transport and replenishment. Areas from Lahaina to Kahana Bay are seeing chronic beach loss, property damage, and increasingly hazardous conditions for both infrastructure and public safety. Nearly 85% of Maui's beaches are eroding, with some stretches—such as those fronting Kahana Sunset condos—experiencing recession rates of over a foot per year.

At Kahana Sunset, Building F has been condemned since 2021 due to its compromised foundations and proximity to the ocean—the result of repeated overtopping waves, sinkholes, and aging seawalls. Engineers have found the building too dangerous to inhabit, prompting contentious public debate over emergency repairs, managed retreat, and whether the complex’s shoreline armoring is legal under current state and county laws. Sinkhole damage, often worsened by seawall construction and erosion, has also been documented in other West Maui properties, heightening concerns about long-term habitability and escalating repair costs.

Major mitigation efforts in this region now involve multi-property collaborations for large-scale solutions and scientific intervention. The Kahana Bay Steering Committee is working with Oceanit—a prominent local engineering firm—to develop a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for erosion mitigation. Oceanit’s scope includes beach nourishment, seawall alternatives, and community-focused resilience strategies. However, all proposed work faces strict scrutiny on permitting: shoreline setback variances, environmental studies, contested hearings, and often denied authorizations when proposed projects encroach on state land, public trust resources, or violate the Coastal Erosion Management Plan.

The maze of county and state regulations—as well as evolving shoreline rules—can create additional uncertainty for buyers and owners. Legal requirements such as shoreline survey certification, setback permit assessments, and land use variances often stall repairs or redevelopment, particularly for properties threatened by active erosion and encroaching on the public beach. Because oceanfront structures are facing more frequent condemnation and expensive stabilization needs, prospective buyers may want to consider looking for homes across the street from the ocean, where the risk to property and personal safety is significantly lower and long-term ownership seems more sustainable.

References

Travis Speck
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