Protecting Hawaiʻi’s beaches, dunes focus of free webinar

To increase awareness of the importance of preserving and restoring coastal dunes, the University of Hawaiʻi Sea Grant College Program (Hawaiʻi Sea Grant) released the newly published Hawaiʻi Dune Restoration Manual, and is hosting two free online webinars on August 22, inviting the public to learn how they can conduct their own dune restoration projects.

The non-technical training offers an opportunity for participants to ask questions and learn about the practical aspects of coastal dune restoration through specific examples.

There are two time slots offered on August 22: 11 a.m.–noon (register online here) and 5–6 p.m. (register online here).

Darren T. Lerner, director of Hawaiʻi Sea Grant, noted “With increased awareness and recognition of climate change impacts such as sea-level rise and coastal erosion, Hawaiʻi Sea Grant is honored to cultivate projects like this, supporting sustainable and innovative coastal management projects which result in the improved understanding and stewardship of Hawaiʻi’s unique and precious coastal and marine resources.”

There are clear, ongoing impacts associated with climate change, including sea-level rise, coastal flooding, and more frequent and severe storm events, all causing beach and dune erosion. These threats have catalyzed the need for an easy-to-read guidance resource that outlines how to conduct proactive coastal dune restoration which will be crucial to protecting Hawaiʻi’s iconic beaches, shoreline infrastructure, and nearshore cultural and natural resources.

Dolan Eversole, Hawaiʻi Sea Grant’s coastal management specialist, said “There has been a demonstrated need and increasing demand for coordination and support for dune restoration statewide, highlighting the importance of sustainable coastal adaptation techniques. We are very pleased to be able to provide this project training as a way to support coastal restoration statewide.”

–By Cindy Knapman