Hawaii is suing a homeowner after part of his beachfront house collapsed into the ocean.

Photo: @kevin_makana_emery/Instagram

The state of Hawaii has filed a lawsuit against Josh VanEmmerik, a homeowner on North Shore Oahu, after his luxurious beachfront property partially collapsed into the ocean, according to a report from the New York Post. On September 25, 2024, the state initiated a complaint for declaratory and injunctive relief, aiming to hold VanEmmerik accountable for the resulting damage. 

Stay informed with the latest news. Follow DXB News Network on WhatsApp Channel 

A disturbing video circulating on social media depicts the precarious condition of the house, raising widespread concern among viewers. In the footage, a voice warns onlookers, "Be careful where you're standing. The whole roof is gonna come down right now," emphasizing the dangers posed by the crumbling structure. Debris, including glass, metal, and wood, can be seen scattered across the sand as waves pull it into the sea.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands reported that waves had severely damaged the Haleiwa home, causing significant debris to fall onto state land and into the ocean. Responding officers found large portions of the structure on state property, with additional debris washing into the sea. The complaint details the scene: "On September 24, 2024, large pieces of cement, wood, glass, electrical components, rebar, geotextile fabric, and other unidentified solid materials cover the State land spanning between the property boundary line and the ocean. An unknown quantity of solid material from the dwelling on Subject Property 2 entered the ocean and was taken away from the location due to the ocean's natural processes."

VanEmmerik purchased the beachfront property in 2021 for $1 million, with prior warnings regarding erosion risks that ultimately contributed to the house's collapse. Despite these risks, he undertook renovations and listed the property for $2.5 million, later reducing the asking price to $2 million.

Deputy Attorney General Danica Swenson addressed the situation, stating, "Private landowners take a risk when they allow structures to be so close to the shoreline. The people of Hawaii are now confronted with the consequences of property owners' failures to take heed of the ocean's warning signs of erosion." 

This incident is not the first time VanEmmerik has encountered issues with the state; last year, he faced a $110,000 penalty for "erosion control violations" related to sandbags placed around the residence.

Hawaii's ongoing coastal erosion problem remains a significant concern, particularly on O‘ahu's North Shore, where nearly a third of beachfront homes are situated perilously close to the shoreline. Many local residents express frustration with both VanEmmerik and the state government, accusing them of failing to adequately address the erosion issue.

#Hawaii #CoastalErosion #BeachfrontProperty #EnvironmentalConcerns #OceanSafety #PropertyLawsuit #Haleiwa #Oahu #RealEstate #ErosionControl #dxbnewsnetwork #dxbnews #dxbdnn #dxbnewsnetworkdnn #bestnewschanneldubai #bestnewschannelUAE #bestnewschannelabudhabi #bestnewschannelajman #bestnewschannelofdubai #popularnewschanneldubai

Barricades have been erected near the Unification Bridge, which leads to Panmunjom in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in Paju, South Korea, on June 11, 2024....Read More.

The Al Nahyan family's presidential palace, valued at ₹4,078 crore, is equivalent in size to three Pentagons, showcasing their immense wealth and grandeur....Read More.