Growing a Stronger Kailua Beach: Dune Restoration Partnership

Photo By Kayli Pascal-Martinez

Kailua Beach is one of the most well known beaches here on oahu, not only for those visiting but for locals too . Kailua is known to be busy in the mornings to paddle, swim, explore, relax, and make memories with friends and family.

That’s why we’re proud to be part of the ongoing effort to care for and restore this special coastline.

Recently, Kailua Beach Adventures joined partners from the State of Hawaiʻi and the broader community for an important dune restoration effort at Kailua Beach Park. Together, volunteers helped put the first native coastal trees into the ground as part of a larger project focused on strengthening the beach’s natural defenses and restoring native vegetation.

Planting

The latest planting effort brought approximately 50 volunteers together at Kailua Beach Park. Eleven native coastal trees—including milo, kou, and beach heliotrope—were planted alongside beach naupaka and ʻakiʻaki grass.

These plants are more than additions to the landscape. Native coastal vegetation plays an important role in helping stabilize wind-blown sand and support a healthier dune system.

The work was hands-on, volunteers dug holes, planted and watered trees, installed stakes, removed invasive vegetation, and helped care for the newly planted areas.

Why Dunes Matter

A healthy beach dune system is a natural part of the coastline. Vegetation helps hold sand in place and can contribute to the beach's ability to withstand wind, waves, and erosion.

Restoring these areas takes time. The trees and ground cover planted today won't transform the shoreline overnight. But over time, healthy native vegetation can help rebuild and strengthen the natural systems that make our beaches more resilient.

That's what makes this project so exciting: we're not just thinking about Kailua Beach today. We're thinking about the Kailua Beach that future generations will enjoy.

Mahalo to Everyone Who Made It Possible

We want to extend a big mahalo to the State of Hawaiʻi, the City and County of Honolulu, University of Hawaiʻi Sea Grant, the community organizations, volunteers, and everyone who continues to put time and energy into caring for Kailua Beach.

And to everyone who visits Kailua Beach: you can help, too.

Stay on designated paths, give newly planted areas space to grow, avoid disturbing restoration sites, pack out what you bring in, and treat the beach with the same care you'd give your own backyard.

Every small action adds up.

At Kailua Beach Adventures, we're grateful to call this coastline part of our home and proud to play a role in protecting it.

Here's to growing a stronger, healthier Kailua Beach together.