Black Pot Beach Restoration

The April 2018 flood event that impacted Kauai had a devastating effect on Hanalei Beach.  Severe fluvial impacts included drainage damage in the backshore and on the beach from Black Pot Beach Park to the south side of Hanalei Pier in Kauai.  Drainage channels were cut deep into the sandy coastal plain and extended through the dune, dry berm, and active beach face.  Much of the sand that was excavated from the backshore and beach was deposited in the nearshore waters, makai of the drainage channels. This sand formed a broad deltaic sand deposit which was exposed during most of the tidal cycle. This created a significant change between typical conditions and post-flood conditions along the coastline.

The need to restore the beach, berm, dune, and backshore was made clear from the aerial and ground images at the site.  Flood damage in the backshore was exposed and vulnerable, resulting in worsening conditions with time.  Restoring the beach face, berm, dune, backshore, and roadway were critical steps to protecting health, welfare, and public safety.

The County of Kauai contacted Sea Engineering, Inc. to assess the situation, craft an emergency recovery plan, and complete the required permitting for the effort. This work included intense site investigations, extensive regulatory and resource agency discussions, and coordination between University, County, State, and Federal entities. Upon issuance of the emergency permit, the County of Kauai was able to fully restore the beach and coastal plain at the north end of Hanalei Bay, Kauai.

Sea Engineering was honored to deliver a presentation on this project at the 2019 American Shore and Beach Preservation Association Conference.