North Shore Coastal Resilience Working Group
A community-based effort to identify proactive solutions to combat the chronic coastal erosion and beach loss along the North Shore of Oʻahu.
Our ocean, waves and beaches are everything. Let’s save them.
What's at stake?
The North Shore of O'ahu is one of the most unique and special places on Earth. The majority (73%) of beaches on the North Shore, however, are presently undergoing chronic erosion. To compound this situation, nearly a third of the beachfront homes on the North Shore sit within 20 feet of the shoreline. Protection of private property has resulted in further loss of the public beach and impacts to the coastal environment.
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Proactive Solutions
The North Shore Coastal Resilience Working Group (NSCRWG) was launched by the Surfrider Foundation, Surfrider's Oʻahu Chapter, the University of Hawaiʻi Sea Grant College, and consulting firm SSFM International to proactively address accelerated beach loss and improve community resilience on the North Shore. In 2021 and 2022, the NSCRWG sought to facilitate meaningful, community-driven discussions related to the future of coastal management on the North Shore. The Working Group released a report detailing critical concerns and recommendations for immediate action.
North Shore Coastal Resilience Working Group 2.0
Prompted by the collapse of a private home in September, 2024, Surfrider Oʻahu, alongside the University of Hawaiʻi Sea Grant, North Shore Community Land Trust, SSFM, and Integral Consulting, relaunched the Working Group in late 2025 to continue this important coordinated, community-driven effort. This relaunch runs concurrently with the development of the North Shore Beach Management Plan, led by Hawaiʻi Sea Grant and funded by the State of Hawaiʻi.
Our goal is to refine and adapt the previous recommendations from 2022 to fit current needs, namely what we can do to stop homes from falling into the ocean now.
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The Future of North Shore Beaches- Community Talk Story
With our partners at University of Hawai'i Sea Grant and North Shore Community Land Trust, Surfrider O'ahu hosted The Future of North Shore Beaches community talk story in Haleʻiwa in September, 2025. More than than 80 community members came together to discuss coastal erosion, shoreline change, and long-term resilience on Oʻahu’s North Shore. The event highlighted the launch of the North Shore Beach Management Plan and Working Group, shared examples of nature-based solutions like dune restoration, and centered community voices through interactive stations—underscoring the importance of place-based, community-driven approaches to protecting North Shore beaches.
Critical Concerns Related to Community Vulnerability & Coastal Resource Management
During conversations in the 2021-2022 Working Group, seven critical concerns were identified that must be remedied to proactively and holistically support the North Shore community adapt to severe coastal erosion. While the issues are specific to the North Shore, they are relevant to beachfront communities statewide and may serve as a starting point for similar discussions in other communities.
1. Immediate erosion threats and impacts to homes, highways and public infrastructure
2. Lack of options and transparent, publicly-shared guidelines for homeowners impacted by shoreline erosion
3. Increasing erosion and flood risks with climate change and sea level rise
4. Damaged and limited public beach access due to erosion, beach loss and inappropriate response measures
5. Environmental impacts of unauthorized and expired materials on the shoreline
6. Lack of cohesive policy framework and financing mechanisms for managed retreat
7. Absence of a comprehensive coastal erosion strategy and long-term vision for the North Shore
Looking Forward
In addition to the critical concerns outlined above, the NSCRWG also identified six recommendations for immediate action to be taken by relevant organizations, agencies, and policy-makers.
We have made progress in addressing these recommendations over the last few years and have made progress on three of the six recommendations:
(In Progress)
1. Develop a beach and dune management plan for North Shore beach parks and accessways, including guidelines that may be transferable to efforts fronting privately owned lands
2. Improve interagency coordination for shoreline erosion and flood management, which overlaps jurisdictional and ownership boundaries
3. Continue the NSCRWG and expand community discussions, engagement and outreach
(Under Development)
4. Improve guidelines and limitations for emergency shoreline erosion management and strengthen enforcement against unauthorized work and materials
5. Establish a statewide managed retreat program, with the North Shore as a pilot area, to provide a pathway for affected landowners to voluntarily vacate affected properties and utilize shoreline areas for public benefit
(Next Phase)
6. Develop a comprehensive climate change and sea level rise vulnerability assessment and adaptation strategy for the North Shore
Next Steps for the Working Group
We are actively addressing the six recommendations made in the last working group:
(In Progress)
1. Develop a beach and dune management plan for the North Shore, O’ahu.
2. Continue the NSCRWG and expand community discussions, engagement and outreach.
3. Improve interagency coordination for coastal management which overlaps jurisdictional and ownership boundaries.
(Under Development)
4. Improve guidelines and limitations for emergency shoreline erosion management and strengthen enforcement.
5. Establish a statewide managed retreat program, with the North Shore as a pilot area.
(Next Phase)
6. Develop a comprehensive North Shore climate change adaptation strategy with phased implementation of adaptation pathways and triggers for action.
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