Sophie Cocke’s story about a Punaluu landowner’s attempt to hold back the ocean captured a wonderful example of marketing (“Punaluu homeowner faces $188K fine for shoreline violations“).
The story is that this homeowner bought this oceanfront property in 2012. At the time of this purchase, it had already been subject to extreme erosion, along with surrounding homes, for years. Since then, the homeowner has attempted to “harden” the shoreline and ignored numerous citations issued by the Department of Land and Natural Resources.
All this time, the home has been at risk of collapse as the ocean threatens its foundation.
In October the Star- Advertiser reported Opens in a new tab that the three-bedroom property, with ceiling-high windows that frame the ocean, was for sale for $899,000. Even though ocean waves were undermining the front of the house and the property was racking up violations, an ad for the property boasted of the ocean’s allure:
[Brace yourself, here it comes!] “Imagine waking up every morning to an iconic Hawaiian Sunrise orchestrated by the sound of waves lapping the shore. What sounds like an unreal aspiration to many could be your dream beachfront home available at an unbelievable price!”
Masterfull!
Truth in marketing might have required a rewrite: “Imagine waking up every morning to an iconic Hawaiian Sunrise orchestrated by the sound of waves lapping your home slowly collapsing onto the the shore below.”
Or, as a used car salesman we used to see on television would say, slapping the hood of another vehicle he was trying to unload, “Here’s one that won’t last long!”
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Aww, now I tried to tell you it wouldn’t last long.
‘fraid there are more examples of foundational erosion, only not so evident.
Oh! By Kaaawa ! When I bought my Florida home the words of a wise old man rang in my head, ” Senior, the ocean … she always wins.”
I’m on the other side of Mamalu bay. I’ve been watching the south end of our bay disappear for years. I worry about what will become the only way to reach our homes. At some point, there will be no reason to try to keep Kam Hwy from disappearing. I would love to know the long-range plans for the entire Koolauloa District roads that will surely fail. I’m left to consider what kind of remedy is even realistic. A mountain bypass route, with a few small offshoot roads leading down to what is left of the entire NE coast? Will the city dwellers of Honolulu even care if this entire area becomes inaccessible? That, unfortunately, is my guess.
Imagine the warm welcome you’ll receive in the traditional fishing village and exclusive gated community of Kahakuloa on the magical island of Maui, just steps from the sea but a world away from expensive luxury resort fantasies. Experience real Hawaii like never before and snap up this unique property while it remains slightly distressed and available at an ultra-rare bargain price. Live your dreams today!