Shoreline Property Boundaries In Hawaii

The question of how far seaward the ownership of private real property extends in Hawaii has been much debated. Descriptions of the seaward boundaries of shorefront property, interpretations of these descriptions in shoreline mapping, statutory definitions of the shoreline in contexts other than the property boundary one, and court decisions, have differed significantly from time to time and place to place. The makai boundary question is of obvious significance in the management of the coastal zone. The power of management of any part of the zone privately owned rests directly with the private owner. The power of management of any part lying seaward of the makai boundary of private land rests with the government. However, the significance of the question to coastal-zone management may be considerably smaller than would at first appear, because the use of land even if privately owned may be subject to extensive regulation by the government. Grant no. NA79AA-D-00085