After 23 years of intense battles, the famous Maalaea surf break in Hawaii has been saved. The spot, also known as "Freight Trains," is widely lauded as the world's fastest wave.
The victory came last week when the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources and the United States Army Corps of Engineers announced that they would be abandoning plans to extend the breakwater at Maalaea Harbor.
The Surfrider Foundation and other groups have long opposed the project for fear that it would destroy large sections of coral reefs and irreparably damage the nearby surf break.
The authorities cited high costs and community and environmental concerns as the reason for the suspension of the breakwater project.
The endless and super fast tube ride is very popular in the local surfing community, as well as in the entire world.
"As documented in the Summer 1990 issue of our newsletter Making Waves, Surfrider Foundation joined with the Protect Ma'alaea Coalition, other groups, and many local activists to try to stop or modify plans by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to expand the boat harbor", explains Surfrider.
"Surfrider was concerned not only with the possible destruction of Maalaea's "Freight Train" rights, but also impacts to coral reefs, the marine ecosystem, and water quality."
Watch the "Freight Trains" in action.