The Surfrider Foundation of Oahu and some of the surrounding community of Ewa Beach on the island of Oahu, location of the Marine Corps Base of Hawaii’s Puuloa Range Training Facility, have challenged the service’s proposed construction of a sea wall, Military.com reports.

“Lots of places have put up sea walls, then the beach up or down shore ended up losing sand from migration; and the beach that gets more sand, it covers up the ecosystem,” said Eva Beach resident Troy Guerrero.

The sea wall, proposed in August 2019, would be 10 feet tall and stretch approximately 1,500 meters.

A recent environmental assessment reported by the The Honolulu Star-Advertiser found the sea wall at Puuloa Range Training facility would have “no significant” impact on humans or the environment at Ewa Beach.

Ray Aivazian III, chairman of the Surfrider Foundation’s Oahu chapter says the environmental assessment did not examine effects of the construction on beach erosion, coastal and reef impacts, as well as detriments to surf locations and marine harvesting.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Suzanna Lapi