Kauai’s mayor and County Council are looking into ways to keep houses along the island’s shoreline from creeping too close to the ocean.

While Mayor Bryan Baptiste is waiting for a coastal erosion study to be completed by 2008, the council has proposed a new bill in the interim to push the setbacks along Kauai shores away from the ocean.

The council’s bill, which is before the Kauai Planning Commission, would create setbacks of 40, 60 and 80 feet along shorelines, depending on the size of the parcel. Current setbacks of 20 to 40 feet are required by zoning laws and date back to 1970.

AN inspirational American teenager who returned to the surf just weeks after a shark took her arm has urged South Australian victim Zac Golebiowski to get back on his board.

Bethany Hamilton, who was attacked by a tiger shark three years ago while surfing in Hawaii, said she was “gutted” when she heard about Zac, 15.

And the young surfing champion said she wants to visit him when she travels to Australia next month.

Zac lost his leg when he was attacked by a 5m white pointer while surfing off a remote West Australian beach last Saturday.