Scientists forecast that Hawaii could lose 40% of its beaches to sea level rise by 2050. West Maui, where Kahana Bay is located, is ground zero. About 14% of shoreline in West Maui has been completely lost to erosion, according to Hawaii Sea Grant. That’s the highest percentage of beach loss anywhere in Hawaii.
Ty Emanuel has watched it happen with his own eyes.
When Emanuel bought his condo at the Royal Kahana complex 25 or 30 years ago, “there was a great big beach,” he said.
“You could step from the grassy lawn right onto the beach.”
Now, there are 8-to-10-foot drop-offs were it not for piles of sandbags that stabilize the bluff, he said.
Emanuel is a member of the Kahana Bay Steering Committee. He’s among those urging passage of a Community Facilities District so his condo and those of many others won’t be taken out by the next big storm. The condos are valued at more than half a billion dollars and generate about $10 million in tax revenue.
For the whole story\: https://www.civilbeat.org/2022/03/maui-condo-owners-want-to-tax-themselves-to-save-their-homes-from-rising-seas/
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