HB 1750 Summary

• Requires public hearings for all variance applications involving shoreline hardening structures (seawalls, revetments, groin) that artificially fix the shoreline, with limited exceptions.

• Prohibits variances for shoreline hardening structures unless the applicant demonstrates the structure is necessary to protect an existing legal structure or activity from seawater inundation or shoreline erosion and relocation is not reasonably feasible.

• Establishes six criteria for evaluating shoreline hardening structure variances: feasibility and cost of relocation, likelihood and severity of potential damage, availability of alternative protection methods, whether the structure is the only reasonable alternative, impact on cultural and historical resources and native Hawaiian practices, and potential diminution of public shoreline access.

• Requires conditions on any approved shoreline hardening variance to mitigate diminution of safe lateral public access and enjoyment of the shoreline area, including potential public access easements.

• Applies to amendments of Hawaii Revised Statutes sections 205A-43.5, 205A-44, and 205A-46 governing coastal zone management variances and shoreline structures.