WAIKIKI, Hawaii (KHON2) — At Queens Beach in Waikiki, an eroding sidewalk that has been a growing hazard for pedestrians is finally set to be repaired after months of delay. What was once a popular pathway is a symbol of Oahu’s ongoing battle with coastal erosion and rising sea levels.
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The deterioration has been stark and alarming and it’s been a source of frustration for residents like Oren Schlieman, who walks the beach regularly.
“You could see it happening. You could see it corroding. And there was a complete lack of response by the city and by the state to try and solve the problem before it became a bigger, more costly problem,” said Schlieman.
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Over the last five months, Barefoot Beach Cafe workers said they watched the disintegrating.
“One side eroded first, and then a month later, the other side collapsed, and it got pretty close to us, then it just caved in. Lucky, no one was hurt or on it at the time,” said Barefoot Beach Cafe worker, Eric Waltz. “We were worried when it got close enough, you know, to the lanai area. So we’re just lucky it didn’t go further.”