Governor Josh Green, M.D.

DEPARTMENT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL

KA ʻOIHANA O KA LOIO KUHINA

 

JOSH GREEN, M.D.

GOVERNOR

KE KIAʻĀINA

 

ANNE LOPEZ

ATTORNEY GENERAL

LOIO KUHINA

News Release 2024-05

 

DEPARTMENT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OBTAINS TRO HALTING UNPERMITTED NORTH SHORE OʻAHU BEACH CONSTRUCTION

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 25, 2024

 

HONOLULU – The Department of the Attorney General successfully obtained a temporary restraining order (TRO) against North Shore Oʻahu beachfront homeowners Richard and Joann Palmer, which orders the immediate stoppage of all construction activities on an unpermitted seawall through February 3, 2024.

 

Between January 13 and 19, 2024, the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands (OCCL) received several reports about work being done on the public beach behind a private property. The reports detailed the alleged operation of heavy machinery and the alleged construction of a concrete rubble masonry wall (seawall) on state land near the private residence.

 

Hawaiʻi beaches are held in trust by the state for the benefit of the public. Development on beaches and dunes has contributed to the narrowing and loss of beaches in Hawaiʻi as well as the degradation of public recreational areas, animal habitats, and the natural storm protection that beaches can provide. Seawalls, furthermore, dramatically restrict public access.

 

“Shoreline hardening presents serious threats to the natural shoreline and the public’s use of the beach,” said Deputy Attorney General Miranda Steed, who is the lead attorney for the state on the case. “Protecting shorelines is critical to mitigating climate change effects and ensuring future generations will have beaches too.”

 

OCCL Administrator Michael Cain said, “With continuing encroachment onto Hawai’i’s conservation lands we will continue seeking remedies to stop unpermitted activities, such as shoreline alterations as alleged in this case.”

 

The case is State of Hawaiʻi v. Palmer, 1CCV-24-0000108. A copy of the TRO can be found here.

 

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Media Contacts:

Dave Day

Special Assistant to the Attorney General

Office: 808-586-1284                                                  

Email: [email protected]        

Web: http://ag.hawaii.gov

 

Toni Schwartz
Public Information Officer
Hawai‘i Department of the Attorney General
Office: 808-586-1252
Cell: 808-379-9249
Email: [email protected] 

Web: http://ag.hawaii.gov

Toni Schwartz

Public Information Officer

State of Hawai‘i Department of the Attorney General

Ka ʻOihana O Ka Loio Kuhina

425 Queen Street

Honolulu, Hawai‘i 96813

Ph: 808-586-1252

Cell: 808-379-9249

Fax: 808-586-1239