MŌKAPU AREA DESCRIPTION

Mōkapu Peninsula is located on the east coast of Oʻahu at the south end of Kāneʻohe Bay and is home to the Marine Corps Base Hawaiʻi Kāneʻohe Bay. The Mōkapu shoreline is composed of basalt and limestone rock and calcareous sand. Pyramid Rock Beach and North Beach form a nearly continuous 9,000 ft long beach between Pyramid Rock and a headland to east. The beaches share sand through currents in the surf zone though the subaerial beaches are interrupted by the Marine Corps Base runway and several rock outcrops. The area is exposed to north swells during winter months and easterly tradewind waves year-round.

Pyramid Rock Beach (transects 0 - 28) and North Beach (transects 29 - 102) have experienced moderate to high rates of accretion since 1928. The highest rates (1.6 ft/yr) are found in the west half of Pyramid Rock Beach (around transect 7). The east end of North Beach (transects 103-108) separated from the rest of North Beach by an exposed limestone shelf, has experienced little long-term change.

For more information see: http://www.soest.hawaii.edu/asp/coasts/oahu/index.asp

¹ Hwang, D. (1981) "Beach changes on Oʻahu as revealed by aerial photographs", State of Hawaii, Department of Planning and Economic Development.

² Sea Engineering, Inc. (1988) “Oʻahu shoreline study”, City and County of Honolulu, Department of Land Utilization.

Keywords:

Oʻahu; Mōkapu Peninsula; Marine Corps Base Hawaiʻi Kaneohe Bay; Pyramid Rock Beach