HI SR150

Senate Resolution urges adoption of shared guiding principles for restoring and maintaining Waikiki beaches from Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor to Kaimana Beach.

Waikiki beaches accounted for over 36% of Hawaii's total visitor expenditures in 2025 and directly generated nearly 5% of state tax revenue in 2024, supporting tens of thousands of local jobs.

Original Waikiki beaches were lost prior to 1920 due to sand mining, coral dredging, and seawall construction, requiring approximately 11 restoration efforts since 1939.

Proposed guiding principles include prioritizing public ocean access, implementing regional planning that accounts for natural sand and water movement, and establishing cost-sharing among state, county, federal, and private property owners for beach improvements.

Copies of the resolution are to be transmitted to the Governor, Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, Board of Land and Natural Resources, Mayor of Honolulu, and Honolulu City Council Chair.