Property boundary questions often arise when selling or buying oceanfront property. Julia Jones, Account Manager at First American Title, prepared two short papers explaining the basics of shoreline setbacks and shoreline property boundaries. The first paragraph of the Shoreline Setbacks paper and a link to the complete paper is below.
Shoreline Setbacks
"The "shoreline" under Hawaii law means "the upper reaches of the wash of the waves, other than storm and seismic waves, at high tide during the season of the year in which the highest wash of the waves occurs, usually evidenced by the edge of vegetation growth, or the upper limit of debris left by the wash of the waves." Haw. Rev. Stat. §205A-1. Shoreline Certifications identifying where a shoreline boundary is located as of a certain date may be issued by the Chairperson of the State of Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), upon proper application. DLNR Certifications are generally valid for no more than one year."
Read the complete Shoreline Setbacks paper in PDF format.
Read the second part of this series (Shoreline Property Boundaries): Hawaii Oceanfront Property Boundaries Part II.
Contact Michael Zimmerman if you are thinking about selling or buying a home or condo in Hawaii.
This post is provided for informational purposes only and is not to be relied on for any reason. If you have any questions regarding the location and effect of a shoreline boundary, please consult with a legal expert.
