HI HCR204

Urges the Department of Land and Natural Resources to adopt policies prohibiting shoreline hardening structures unless specific conditions are met, including a public hearing and demonstration that the structure is necessary to protect existing legal objects or infrastructure.

Requires consideration of five factors when evaluating variance requests: feasibility of relocating structures, severity of potential damage, availability of alternative protective measures, impact on cultural and historical resources and Native Hawaiian practices, and diminution of public shoreline access.

Prohibits approval of shoreline hardening structures unless there are no reasonable alternative locations and the structure is necessary to protect against seawater inundation or shoreline erosion.

Cites that approximately 25 percent of Oahu's beaches and many miles of Maui's shoreline have been permanently lost due to shoreline hardening, eliminating safe lateral access and opportunities for cultural and public use.

Directs transmission of the resolution to the Chair of the Board of Land and Natural Resources and Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.