Kāʻanapali Beach restoration

Kāʻanapali Beach is one of Maui’s most valuable public trust resources, supporting tourism, local jobs, and culture. Yet this coastline faces accelerating erosion and sea level rise that threaten its future. Funding for an Adaptation Pathways Planning Program with the Kāʻanapali Operators Association, government, and community partners to identify long-term, science-based strategies for resilience. Using the “adaptation pathways” framework applied in Santa Cruz, California, the program will map flexible options and triggers for actions like dune restoration, hybrid protection, and managed retreat, creating a community-driven roadmap for Maui’s coastal adaptation.