Drone mapping of vegetation encroachment and beach change

Clear Shorelines: Mapping Vegetation Encroachment and Beach Change to Keep Hawaiʻi’s Beaches Public

Map human-induced vegetation encroachment at priority beaches statewide, where landscaped and irrigated vegetation is creeping onto public beaches and blocking lateral access that landowners are already required to keep open, and measure shoreline change before and after Green Fee beach restoration projects. Use UH’s existing survey drone, two certified pilots and an AI classifier to (1) give DLNR OCCL a ranked, annually updated list of blocked access segments, and (2) report shoreline change to the Green Fee monitoring dashboard, providing an independent way to see whether the sand stays put on the millions Green Fee is investing in beach and dune restoration. Equipment, software and staff are in place, so each year’s funds are spent within that year. Deliverables: a ranked list of blocked access segments for OCCL, and a one-page before-and-after sheet for each beach project. Appropriate to the University of Hawaiʻi (UOH 100), SOEST Climate Resilience Collaborative, in partnership with DLNR OCCL. Estimated cost: $250,000 per year in FY28 and FY29. Geography: Oʻahu