The First (Of Probably Many) Beachfront North Shore Homes Has Fallen In The Ocean

A North Shore house has collapsed on the beach near Sunset after high tides, big swells and rising sea levels eroded its foundations. Beachfront homeowners on the North Shore have been put on high alert as a new incoming swell threatens to take out other properties. 

According to Khon 2:

The Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) received an emergency call on Monday, Feb. 28, around 1:10 a.m. about a downed power line on Ke Nui Road in Haleiwa. The Honolulu Fire department was the first on scene. They found the home had fallen down a sandy cliffside and onto the beach.

According to HFD, there were no occupants in the house at the time of the collapse and no injuries were reported. “I heard a noise and came out and turned on the light,” said neighbor Todd Dunphy. ” I saw his wall and his deck floating in front of my house and went to look where it came from. I’m next, there’s another big swell in a couple days. I’m panicking to be able to do something to save it.”

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North Shore residents have known about sea erosion events for decades but in recent years they have become more severe and common. Hawaii State representative Sean Quinlan is pushing for a study to be done on mitigation efforts, “The Ehukai Sunset Beach area will be the test case for the entire state,” said Quinlan. “This is just the beginning. We’re going to see more and more of these massive erosion events all over the islands. So I think it’s important that we study what’s happening here right now to figure out what tools we have, and what tools will the homeowners have at their disposal.”

Sea erosion is a worldwide problem that is inherently tied up with climate change and increasing extreme weather events. A recent report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) states “the scientific evidence is unequivocal: climate change is a threat to human wellbeing and the health of the planet. Any further delay in concerted global action will miss a brief and rapidly closing window to secure a livable future.”