City's goals for protecting the shoreline and beaches

(a) It is a primary policy of the city to: (1) Reduce exposure to coastal hazards and increase the resilience of the community; (2) Protect and preserve the natural shoreline, coastal zone environments, and associated ecosystems, especially sandy beaches, coastal dunes, wetlands, and reefs; (3) Protect and preserve public pedestrian access laterally along the shoreline and to the sea; (4) Maintain, protect, and preserve open space and coastal scenic resources; and (5) Prohibit shoreline hardening unless necessary for coastal restoration or where it would result in a clear public benefit. (b) To carry out these policies and to comply with the mandate stated in HRS Chapter 205A, it is the specific purpose of this chapter to establish standards and authorize the department of planning and permitting to adopt rules pursuant to HRS Chapter 91 which generally prohibit within the shoreline setback area any structure or activity that may adversely affect beach processes, public access along the shoreline, or shoreline open space. (c) Finally, it is the purpose of this chapter to name the director of planning and permitting as the council’s designee to exercise certain powers and functions granted, and duties imposed, pursuant to HRS Chapter 205A, Part III.