Hawaii bill would start to restore Waikiki Beach

Lee said an uninterrupted stretch of beach is important to maintaining the allure of the state's most popular tourist destination.

State agencies and business organizations supported the proposal, saying Waikiki Beach is critical to the state's economy.

"Beaches are the alluring factor to our islands and a staple reason why visitors travel here," said Mufi Hannemann, CEO of the Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Association.

The state estimates that approximately 300,000 cubic yards of sand have been imported to Waikiki beaches over the past 75 years, often mined from other beaches in the state.