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Aerial view of Hanapēpē Salt Pond coastal area in Kauai, Hawaii showing restored dune system, tropical coastline, and protected salt pond with lush green vegetation

Success Story

Dune Restoration, Community Outreach, & Capacity-Building at Hanapēpē Salt Pond

County of Kaua‘i,
Hawai‘i

The Hanapēpē Dune Restoration Project is a multi-year effort to restore and protect the dune system that safeguards the Hanapēpē Salt Pond on Kauaʻi.

In 2024, through persistent effort and community focus, the County of Kauaʻi Planning Department won a $449,484 award, through NOAA’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Coastal Zone Management Habitat Restoration and Conservation Program, to restore the dune system. This project is expected to strengthen climate resilience, expand and repair native habitat, and preserve the traditional Native Hawaiian practice of paʻakai (saltmaking). Early results show promising vegetation rebounds on the dune, which will increase the stability and ability for accretional action throughout the dune system.

Hanapēpē Salt Ponds and Pa’akai

Hanapēpē Salt Pond has been in active use for over 1000 years and is stewarded by the Hui Hana, 22 families that still practice pa’akai.

Throughout history pa’akai salt has been used for many purposes, including preserving and preparing food, for religious and ceremonial purposes, and even as medicine.

The salt is harvested through the use of shallow clay ponds, where sea water is held until the moisture evaporates. The salt ponds at Hanapepe are the last place on Kaua’i that still practice this traditional method.

Traditional Hawaiian pa'akai salt harvesting ponds with shallow clay beds filled with seawater evaporating under blue sky, showing over 1000 years of cultural practice in Kauai

The Problem: Dune
Degradation
Threatens Salt Ponds

The dune surrounding the Salt Pond forms a natural barrier that protects the pond from storm surge, sea-level rise, and coastal flooding. Degradation from traffic the beach and parking along the boundary road with the airport in the past weakened this protective feature. Vehicular traffic along the beach and the expansion of use at the neighboring airport led to an increased rate of degradation along the dune.

Map showing Hanapēpē Bay area on Kauai with project location near airport and Lokokai Road, highlighting the dune restoration site

The Project:
 Hanapēpē Dune
Restoration 2024 – 2026

The proposed project has several key goals including habitat enhancement, climate resilience, and community engagement.

Year 1: Community Engagement and Initial Improvements

Community engagement in the first year focused on stakeholder identification and outreach with Hui Hana Pa’akai, as well as with state and county agencies. Multiple community meetings and a site visit to restored dune systems in Maui were completed to identify potential solutions for the Hanapepe site. Initial physical improvements, such as the removal of abandoned old vehicles and the placement of boulders to prevent driving on the dune have already improved vegetation at the site.

Year 2: Design and Implementation

Surveys of seabirds, existing dune vegetation, as well as retreat and long-term adaptation studies will be completed based on the meetings and decisions reached in the first year of planning. Selection and installation of appropriate plantings are programmed for the second year, as well as the design and installation of signage that aim to educate visitors about the protective benefits of dune systems, as well as the history and cultural importance of the site.

Year 3: Monitoring and Evaluation

In the final year of funding, 2026, project partners will begin the monitoring and evaluation of the completed work. Dune planting and vegetation efforts will be tracked, and dune rehabilitation studies will be completed based on early results from project efforts. Initial impacts assessments for ecological benefits and resource protection will also be completed. Finally, continued connection and engagement with Hui Hana Pa’akai to support long-term site stewardship are central to the long-term goals of this project.

Aerial view of Hanapēpē Salt Pond coastal area in Kauai, Hawaii showing restored dune system, tropical coastline, and protected salt pond
Group of young people examining and processing shellfish in baskets during coastal education program, demonstrating community engagement in marine resource management
Steep wooden stairs with railings leading down through lush green vegetation to beach, providing controlled access to protect coastal dunes
Group of volunteers harvesting or planting marsh vegetation along coastal waterway, showing hands-on community involvement in habitat restoration
Dramatic sunset reflecting on calm coastal waters with silhouetted tree-covered island, showcasing natural beauty of protected coastal habitats
Hawaiian green sea turtle swimming underwater over coral reef in clear blue water, representing native marine wildlife protected by coastal management programs

Early Results:
 Community,
Resilience and
Culture

As a result of the engagement efforts central to this project, Hui Hana Pa’akai and state partners have aligned around a unified mission to protect and restore the Salt Pond area.

Based on the continued outreach, project partners will finalize repair goals and long-term performance measures. These new and strengthened connections between these groups has the added benefit of establishing a foundation for potential future projects.

The restriction of vehicle access and the installation of permanent barriers to driving onto the dune have already resulted in early signs of natural regrowth. This project is expected to continue to improve dune health and elevation over time, which will buffer storm surge and sea-level rise impacts to the cultural site. The protected and restored dune will serve as an improved protection for habitat for native plants, animals, and migratory birds. These dunes will provide protection to a state campground as well as an airport sit along this dune system.

Finally, and most importantly, the repaired site, and the accretionary features on the dune, will continue to protect the Hanapepe Salt Ponds, the last active site for traditional Hawaiian Salt making on Kaua’i for generations to come.  

 

Signs of Natural Growth

The restriction of vehicle access and the installation of permanent barriers to driving onto the dune have already resulted in early signs of natural regrowth.

Storm Surge & Sea Level Rise

This project is expected to continue to improve dune health and elevation over time, which will buffer storm surge and sea-level rise impacts to the cultural site.

Native Habitat

The protected and restored dune will serve as an improved protection for habitat for native plants, animals, and migratory birds.

Campground & Airport

These dunes will provide protection to a state campground as well as an airport sit along this dune system.

Protecting Salt Ponds

Most importantly, the repaired site, and the accretionary features, will continue to protect the Hanapepe Salt Ponds, the last active site for traditional Hawaiian Salt making on Kaua’i for generations to come.

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Aerial view of Hanapēpē Salt Pond coastal area in Kauai, Hawaii showing restored dune system, tropical coastline, and protected salt pond

Dune Restoration, Community Outreach, and Capacity-Building at Hanapēpē Salt Pond

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