soon after completion. Figure 8 shows a portion of the same 
area in 1947. It is obvious from comparison of Figures 7 and 8 
that there has been a considerable loss of sand fill from the 
beach in the 8 years since its artificial placement. The 
results are considered satisfactory, however, because favorable 
conditions resulting from the improvement have been experienced 
for nearly 10 years. This portion of the beach is now in 
better condition than it was in 1938 and the rate of deterio- 
ration is slow. In this case, as in most cases involving re- 
habilitation of a beach by artificial placement of material, it 
is to be expected that occasional replenishment of material will 
be necessary. 
Waikiki Beach is fronted by a bench-like fringing coral 
reef at the edge of which waves break 1/4 to 1/2 mile from shore, 
creating the famous favorable conditions for surf riding. Waves 
breaking on the beach are ordinarily small in height. At the 
time of inspection, the breakers at the edge of the reef averaged 
3 to 4 feet with occasional heights of 5 to 6 feet, while the 
waves breaking on the beach varied in height from a few inches 
to 1 foot. Although greater accumulations of sand on the south 
side of existing groins indicate predominant northwesterly 
littoral drift, at the time of inspection the waves were ap- 
proaching the beach with crests nearly parallel to the water line 
and no alongshore movement of material was noted. 
The mild and even climate (for example, 8 December 1947, 
minimum temperature 67° F, maximum temperature 78° F, relative 
humidity 68 per cent, wind northeast 10 miles per hour), the 
warm sea water (temperature range from about 70° F to 85° F) 
and wave action varying from breakers at the edge of the fring- 
ing reef to virtually calm water at the beach, make Waikiki 
Beach a very popular resort and an important attraction for 
visitors from the mainland. 
During inspection a considerable spatial variation in grain 
size both laterally and longitudinally was noted. Patches of 
coral which exist within wading depths are considered objection- 
able by some visitors. 
Local interests believe Waikiki Beach is slowly eroding. 
They wish not only to prevent further narrowing of the beach but 
also to widen the usable recreational area and to remove or 
cover coral patches within wading depth. They indicated an 
interest in initiating a cooperative beach erosion study for the 
purpose of determining the best method of providing the desired 
protection and improvement and the extent of Federal contribution 
toward the first cost thereof. Public interest is claimed to 
relate to the following: 
ae The publicly-owned portions of the shore. 
b. The public benefit to the Territory of Hawaii as 
a whole derived from tourists attracted to Waikiki Beach. 
