The name makes you dream, but could well evoke a disappeared beach. In Hawaii, the Waikiki spot is one of the most popular in the archipelago, but also one of the most threatened.
Very involved in the protection of the environment in Hawaii, "the non-profit association Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii" regularly publishes on its Instagram account the results of its cleaning operations of the various beaches of the archipelago. In its sieve, it is kilos of small pieces of plastic that are collected by the volunteers of the association (see below).
If the pollution of the beaches by these thousands of microplastics is now a phenomenon known by the general public (from the 150 million tons of plastic waste that pollute the oceans), global warming is another major concern for some coasts. But if it is less visible, it clearly threatens some beaches, like the one of Waikiki, which remains one of the most popular in Hawaii.
The rise in sea level has already had a significant impact on this spot, which is also popular with beginner surfers. The erosion is progressing while the sand is not replaced by the coral reefs which do not produce enough sand anymore because they are sick because of the increase of the temperatures.
"People might be surprised to see how artificial this beach is," Dolan Eversole, Waikiki beach management coordinator and Special Improvement District Association geologist, told the site earlier this year. Politico in a wide-ranging investigation by reporter Melanie Warner. "If the beach is not redeveloped, we can expect it to disappear completely within 20 to 30 years. It's important to understand that this landscape isn't necessarily destined to be there forever, especially if nothing is done. Today, with the actions we're taking, we're just buying time, but one day it will be too late."
In order to fight against the disappearance of one of its most emblematic beaches, the government of the Hawaiian State has financed since 2006 the transportation of sand from other beaches to replenish the Waikiki beach. A cost of several million dollars that will not prevent more radical decisions, by forcing the population to move back (thus destroying the houses closest to the beach) or by building houses in height, fatally caught up one day by the rising waters.
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In 2017, a report assessed the rise in water levels over the next 20 years and estimated that the 15 cm rise in sea level over the last 10 years should therefore continue. The stakes are high for the Hawaiian state, which sees nearly 10 million tourists arrive on its lands every year. Waikiki beach alone would bring in 2 billion dollars per year, a vital financial windfall for the survival of the archipelago. However, the damage caused by the rising waters is estimated at nearly 5 billion dollars if the authorities do not take things in hand. A major issue if the locals do not want to see one of the most famous beaches of the planet disappear.