Oahu's North Shore Fights Coastal Erosion as Climate Change Accelerates

As of October 2025, Oahu's North Shore is at the forefront of a worsening coastal erosion crisis driven by climate change. According to a new report from the Surfrider Foundation, 73% of the region's beaches are already chronically eroding, with over 90% projected to be by 2050. Rising seas, stronger storms, and relentless winter swells are stripping sand faster than it can naturally replenish.

The report highlights the North Shore Coastal Resilience Working Group, a coalition of residents, scientists, cultural practitioners, and policymakers who are working together to find solutions. Rather than relying on hard defenses like seawalls, the group is exploring "nature-based" approaches such as dune restoration and managed retreat to help the shoreline adapt to change.

This community-led initiative has already shaped state action, with the Hawaii legislature appropriating $1 million in 2024 to fund a project based on the group's recommendations. Surfrider's regional manager Hanna Lilley says this demonstrates how local efforts can drive state-level investment, especially as federal support for coastal resilience has waned in recent years.

The stakes extend far beyond property lines. Eroding beaches threaten public access, traditional cultural practices, and the region's $1 billion surf tourism industry, which supports nearly 10,000 local jobs. As Oahu's iconic North Shore coastline continues to transform, the community's innovative approach offers a model for other vulnerable regions seeking to build resilience in the face of climate change.