Beach access should be available for everyone.

In areas of beach erosion, natural indigenous

vegetation that protects the shoreline should be left or there will be no beach. For years local
people have walked down the beach in the water at high tide knowing specific shoreline plants
were protecting the beach from disappearing. Even if you cut back the vegetation in erosion
prone areas you still have to walk in the water, but now the shoreline is not protected. The result
in eroding areas, without the protecting vegetation, would be seawalls, no beach and no access.
Presently there is more than enough room to laterally walk the beach at low and medium tides
without walking in the water.

In areas where the beach has been getting larger or accreting and property owners have been
watering vegetation it will require a solution with a penalty. These property owners should be
fined for adding to plant growth. The watering of shoreline vegetation in areas of beach accretion
with sprinklers, drip systems or hand watering would be strictly prohibited and subject to
fines. Please keep in mind that it is not a one size fits all situation and all beach areas command
different solutions. Considering the "global warming" rise in sea levels eroding the shoreline all
vegetation growing there is important [think about Katrina and all the areas where the protective
buffer vegetation and wetlands had been removed].

There have already been catastrophic consequences from the cutting of Naupaka and eroding
replenished sand on Kahala beach. The smothering and killing of marine life was foreseen but
the warning only fell on deaf ears. It is a grave mistake to be short sighted on this serious
environmental issue. Protecting the heart beat of the aina and respecting a local plant that has
protected our shoreline for over a century should be respected. Naupaka Kahakai
was appropriately named by Hawaiians respected for their knowledge and love of the
land. Protecting our beach for future generations should be foremost and in areas with erosion
problems we should all be concerned.
For documented evidence please see the site: www.SaveKahalaBeach.com

In the Kahala beach controversy temporary seawalls and sandbags of coconut fiber are now
lining part of the beach, protecting property that was once protected by vegetation. Several
questions arise: Did the state pay for any of this construction? Who owns this land and the
sandbags it is on? Who is libel if anybody is injured trying to walk down the beach at high tide?
Who is responsible for maintenance, this temporary fix is estimated to last about a year, then
what? During construction and beach replenishment there was tons of sand brought in, only to
erode and travel to where the beach is increasing in width. Sediment was also deposited burying
coral and smothering marine life. Where does the responsibility for this
environmental catastrophe lie?

Fine the property owners watering plants in areas where it is documented that the beach is
increasing in size but respect our local plant that has protected our shoreline from erosion
throughout the years and get our representatives to spend funds on research of; tides, currents
and swells to understand why we are loosing our beaches to erosion. We know its happening and
we know the beach sand might temporarily return in some places but once the shoreline is
damaged it doesn't come back. We must respect and protect our aina with 'IKE LOA .... wisdom
and knowledge. With much ALOHA AINA.
Selfish personal agendas and political grandstanding should be put aside. We should look and
see what is happening to our precious beaches with an open mind and try to understand what
Mother Nature gave us to protect our shoreline.

Caring for our environment is a responsibility we all should accept as we are blessed to live in
the most beautiful place on earth. We should seek PONO ... balance and rightness, and
MALAMA HONUA ... caring for earth, in understanding the beaches we all love and want to
enjoy, before it is too late.

A perfect example of our erosion problem:

4631 Kahala Avenue

Photo by NORMAN SHAPIRO | The Honolulu Advertiser 3/18/10

The Honolulu Advertiser’s photo shows imported sand covering up the fence footings and sandbags.

PROOF OF CONSTANT EROSION

4631 Kahala Avenue - 4 days later

Photo by STANTON JOHNSTON | 3/22/10

The high wash of the waves has now eroded past the fence into the property line. The Naupaka Kahakai
is still protecting the shoreline.
The erosion is just beginning in this area. The beach in Kahala has already disappeared from
about the Hunakai access to Black Point and what little is left at the end near Royal Circle is not
accessible by the public due to seawalls and a private road.
Kahala Beach 5:30p.m. 3-31-2010
High Tide - The reason for cutting back the Naupaka was to access the beach at high tide. The
sandbags are approximately 9.5 feet further from where the end of the Naupaka used to be
that was previously protecting the now eroding shoreline at 4623 Kahala Avenue. You are now
unable to safely walk down the beach during high tide at both locations and it is very dangerous!

Passing bill HB1808 with the shoreline definition confirmed to highest wash of the waves during
the highest tide of the year leaves room for the state to still enforce cutting of vegetation that
protects the shoreline in eroding areas. There are also many misguided proponents who still want
this bill reinstated. All evidence points to this being a bad idea for Kahala Beach if they decide to
enforce it in erosion prone areas, so our 'aina may still be in jeopardy.

Mahalo for your attention, and please see www.savekahalabeach.com

Stanton Johnston
4653 Kahala Ave.
Honolulu, HI 96816
(808) 732-6969