Major beach erosion prompted the city to remove three of the Ironwoods on Tuesday. The lack of sand has left many of the trees' roots exposed, making it dangerous for beachgoers.

And after the trees started to tilt recently, city crews brought in the chainsaws.

Coastal geologists say the rising ocean has been eating away at coastlines around the state. The erosion rate at Kailua beach is three to four feet every year.

"A foot or two rise in sea level could translate into dozens of feet of shoreline recession. Now what do you encounter when you look dozens of feet behind our beaches. You encounter roads and houses. You encounter communities, commercial districts. I wonder if 50 years from now we will have very many beaches left in Hawaii at all, or in the world for that matter," said Coastal Geologist, Chip Flectcher.

One of the trees removed on Tuesday had roots that spanned about 20 feet. It was cut into pieces and taken away with heavy machinery.

The city says it will continue to monitor the area for further erosion.

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