SMV and KCA VOLUNTEERS WORK AT AT KAM III 9/12/11

South Maui Volunteers and the KCA had an exceptional workday at Kamaole Beach Park 3 on Monday Sept. 12. With the south swells Kihei has been experiencing this summer we have had some seasonal erosion along our beaches. This was heavy at Kamaole 3 and a few of our beach pathways have lost sand and elevation. We have installed sand bag steps as a temporary measure until the sand returns. Additionally we are working with the Kihei Charter Schools to remove much of the overgrown naupaka that was undercut by the south swell. The “game plan” as presented by our Sea Grant Coastal Extension Agent Tara Miller Owens, includes removal of much of the naupaka from the makai dune face. This will allow the waves to capture exposed sand and and move it off shore in the case of large swells. This action causes the large waves to break further out and reduces the erosion on the near shore. Of course the sand eventually returns when the normal wave patterns return. The lower half of these makai dune faces are to be exposed sand with pohuehue or beach morning glory on the upper half. It is nice to have a proven game plan for our dunes.