Shoreline restoration project begins at Sand Island

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – A restoration project is getting underway at Sand Island State Recreation Area.

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The Department of Land and Natural Resources said crews will begin removing hazardous debris on July 9 from the park’s southwestern shoreline, where erosion has exposed remnants of former World War II-era military structures.

“Sand Island played an important role in the coastal defense of southern Oahu in the first half of the 20th Century but unfortunately, the discarded fragments of this past history have now created concerns for the health and safety of our park users,” said State Parks Administrator Alan Carpenter.

The project will remove broken concrete, sharp metal, glass, and other hazardous materials buried along the shoreline to improve safety for beachgoers and protect the surrounding environment.

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Work is expected to continue through October. The park will remain open, but visitors may encounter partial closures on the western beach near Keehi Channel between comfort stations five and six on weekdays.

DLNR said construction will take place Monday through Friday during normal park hours. The beach will remain open on weekends and holidays.

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