The @surfrider 2022 #StateOfTheBeach report is in! Hawai'i received a 'B' overall, meaning our policies are good but can be improved. Hit the link in our bio for the national report, here are the details of our state's score: ➡️ SEDIMENT MANAGEMENT: In 2021, the Board of Land and Natural Resources approved a controversial proposal to streamline the permitting process for beach fill projects. This is concerning as Hawai‘i has extensive permitting requirements in place that could be severely undermined. Unfortunately, the state continues to rely on sand replenishment as a means of erosion control. ➡️ COASTAL ARMORING: Enforcement of regulations prohibiting erosion protection structures is lax. Hopefully, new legislation will resolve issues of local homeowners constructing illegal seawalls, and rebuilding and repairing other shoreline devices. In addition, the state allows emergency permits for coastal armoring, including sand bags and tarps. While state management must improve, the Ocean Resources Management Plan outlines important measures for managed retreat and restoration. ➡️ DEVELOPMENT: The state has a minimum coastal development setback line, but it’s only 40 feet from the shoreline and provides minimal protection. Both Kaua‘i and Maui counties have Beach Management Plans and have established a development setback line of 70 times the erosion rate, plus a range of 40 to 400 feet from sandy shorelines. Hawai‘i has policies to protect dunes, wetlands, watersheds and reefs that ‘provide coastal hazard mitigation’ benefits. However, the state primarily focuses on reefs, while other protections are based on support from the federal government. ➡️ SEA LEVEL RISE: The state has increased its sea level rise planning work to ensure that all agencies are analyzing climate change impacts and working to protect coastal buffers that will allow for landward creep of rising seas. The state has done a good job of conducting vulnerability assessments, maps and the establishment of the enforceable Climate Change Adaptation Priority Guidelines.