Queen’s Beach Promenade Restoration Project
Restored section of Queen’s Beach walkway and seawall.
Project Background
On March 22, 2024, DDC reported that the seawall had sustained severe damage, undermining the promenade. The engineering team responded quickly by conducting an initial investigation and determining the necessary regulatory requirements. Unfortunately, the promenade catastrophically collapsed on May 28, 2024, further degrading its condition and obstructing access for a thorough investigation.
With design support from MKE Associates LLC, Geolabs, INC., and Sea Engineering, repairs to the promenade and seawall were designed, permitted, and successfully completed before the next summer swell season. The project team effectively addressed the public health and safety hazard, fully restoring the seawall and promenade to their intended function.
Project execution was critical, as the team encountered numerous unforeseen conditions during construction. This required rapid and efficient problem-solving to address public safety concerns and meet the urgent completion timeline. The promenade reopened to the public on June 13, 2025, restoring vital shoreline access to this heavily used area. This project exemplified how a rapid, well-coordinated response can effectively address an emergency situation. The many challenges faced and overcome made the Queen’s Beach Promenade Restoration project particularly rewarding and impactful.
Collapsed walkway at Queen’s Beach
Project Approach & Challenges
The extent of the initial damage limited the ability to assess subsurface conditions. The team advanced with a plan to verify site conditions during construction and adjust repair techniques as needed.
A crane truck was used to place two-ton bags of beach-quality sand to form a cofferdam, lifting the bags over a large banyan tree to avoid impacts to the tree and a nearby café. BMPs were installed to provide a safe working environment.
To increase durability and reduce future maintenance, the project utilized duplex stainless-steel reinforcing within the concrete. The finished promenade features stamped concrete designed to replicate the original flagstone pattern. Supersacks of clean sand were staged to control turbidity and, after the project was completed, the sand was redistributed onto the beach.
BMPs are installed to provide a safe working environment at the project site.
Award Recognition
The Queen’s Beach Promenade Restoration Project earned the prestigious title of Best Medium Project at the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Hawai‘i Section – 2025 Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement Awards, honoring the dedication of a skilled team committed to restoring a cherished public resource. The revitalized promenade enhances the Waikīkī experience for both residents and visitors, ensuring safe shoreline access for years to come.
Project Team (left to right): Jillian Sumitomo (MKE Associates LLC-structural engineer), Patrick Noll (DDC CMB Section A Chief [TA] /Civil Engineer IV), David Smith (Sea Engineering, Inc-Design), Elaine Morisato (DDC Supervising Project Manager), Jeff Remily (SEI-Construction), Alika Brown (SEI-Construction)
2025 ASCE Award for Best Medium Project – Queen’s Beach Promenade Restoration at Waikīkī, Oʻahu
The Queen’s Beach Promenade Restoration Project was awarded the prestigious title of Best Medium Project at the 2025 Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement Awards. This accolade highlights the collective efforts of a dedicated team focused on restoring a cherished community resource that promises to enhance the Waikīkī experience for both residents and visitors alike.