Hawaii’s tourism industry could be facing a PR problem as news about Hawaii’s eroding beaches makes headlines. 

Last week, a study by the Uhe UH School of Ocean and Earth Science Technology and US Geological Survey found that 70 percent of beaches on Oahu, Kauai and Maui were undergoing long-term erosion. 

The NY Times picked up the story on Monday, noting that it wasn’t just natural processes that were leading to the disappearance of Hawaii’s beaches. Building along shorelines and sea walls have contributed to significant erosion as evidenced by Waikiki’s shrinking beaches where tourists crowd closer and closer together. 

From the New York Times: 

The findings have important implications for public safety, the state’s multibillion-dollar tourism economy and the way of life Hawaiians treasure, said Charles H. Fletcher, who led the work for the agency.

Read the full story here.