West Maui shoreline evidence program pilot

Support a West Maui shoreline evidence program designed for coordinated review of entire coastal stretches, translating County and State discussions about programmatic certified shoreline surveys into a practical pilot. The program would provide shared observations for regional planning and individual rebuilding projects subject to shoreline or Special Management Area (SMA) review.

Shoreline evidence is often collected property by property in response to permit applications, limiting the consistent seasonal record available to reviewers. Repeated drone photographs and video would document high-tide wave reach during relevant seasonal high surf, including observations that a single scheduled inspection may miss. A common collection protocol would make imagery usable across adjoining properties and repeat surveys.

The archive would be designed for use by DLNR's Land Division, the DAGS Land Survey Division, the Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands, and County planners. Their input would be sought on evidence requirements, positional checks, and map outputs. The archive would support shoreline certification, jurisdictional and setback review, and investigation of public-land boundary questions through the appropriate legal processes.

Users would search a map, compare dated imagery, and trace mapped interpretations to original photographs and video. Records would retain georeferencing, tide and wave context, collection methods, and positional uncertainty. Seasonal high surf would be distinguished from storm or tsunami events. Official shoreline certification and required licensed surveys would follow State procedures.

Public deliverables would include a searchable archive, downloadable imagery and metadata, and documented collection and verification methods. Open formats and a maintenance plan would support ongoing organizational management or transfer to a State or County custodian. The protocol could expand across Maui and other main Hawaiian Islands.

A drone valued at approximately $4,500 is already secured. Preliminary imagery acquisition costs are approximately $1,000 per kilometer; the final pilot budget would specify coastline length, survey frequency, processing, accuracy verification, and archive maintenance.

Green Fee support would create lasting public information infrastructure, reduce duplicative evidence collection, and improve the consistency of coastal decisions. Public benefits include better-informed rebuilding, stewardship of public trust resources, protection of public access, and identification of beach restoration and adaptation opportunities.