The effects of climate change have caused coastal erosion along Waikīkī's shorelines. Erosion has taken its toll on the beach and land under one of the buildings of the Halekulani Hotel.
Emergency work is about to get underway in a narrow lane in Waikīkī near Fort DeRussy. The repairs involve a 70-foot section of seawall owned by the resort. The situation has become a public hazard and a potential liability for taxpayers, as there is a public right-of-way involved.
HPR talked to various people in the area about how the erosion in Waikīkī has affected them and what theyʻve seen over the years.
We recently caught up with Damien and his Canadian family. They were braving the hazardous path because they were following the GPS directions on their phone to get to Monkeypod Kitchen, located in the Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort.
At Fort DeRussy, located at the ʻEwa end of Waikīkī, we also chatted with Matt, who not only works in Waikīkī but also surfs there, too. He described the changes he's seen over the last decade.
Ryan is a catamaran captain. We talked to him in front of the Outrigger Reef. He shared how the changing shoreline has affected his business.
This interview aired on The Conversation on May 8, 2025. The Conversation airs weekdays at 11 a.m.
