Two Hawaii Beaches Make Dr. Beach's Top Ten List for 2008

For the second year in a row a Hawaii beach did not top this year's America's Best Beaches list by coastal expert Dr. Stephen Leatherman aka Dr. Beach, Director of Florida International University’s Laboratory for Coastal Research.

This is in no small part that a Hawaii beach has topped the list eleven times previously and prior winners are excluded from the survey. This year's number one beach is Caladesi Island State Park, Dunedin/Clearwater, Florida.

Two Hawaii beaches did make Dr. Beach's top ten list for 2008. They are Hanalei Beach, Kauai and Hamoa Beach, Maui.

Hanalei Beach, Kauai

Of the two, Hanalei Beach is the most well known. Located along crescent shaped Hanalei Bay on Kauai's North Shore, the white sand Hanalei Beach is one of the Islands' longest and loveliest beaches.

Backed by trees and grass along most of its entire length, it still maintains that rustic look that is missing from many beaches dominated by high-rise condominiums and hotels. Hanalei Beach offers excellent surfing and boogie boarding when North Shore swells are up. On calmer days it is an excellent spot for beginning surfers.

Lifeguards are present. Boat traffic in the Hanalei Bay is restricted.

Hamoa Beach, Maui

Hamoa Beach, Maui is less well known and often less crowded than Hanalei Beach. It is located in East Maui past the town of Hana.

The beach itself lies below the highway which sits on the cliff above. The beach is accessed by means of a stairway on the west side. You need to park along the highway which can be both difficult and somewhat dangerous. Hamoa Beach is the beach used by patrons of the Hotel Hana Maui, but, like all beaches in Hawaii, it is open to the public.

Hamoa Beach is not protected by an offshore reef, nor is there a lifeguard. Winter swells and unpredictable currents often make swimming dangerous. In summer, however, the surf is often calm.

Like Hanalei Beach, Hamoa Beach retains much of the rustic feel due to its location below road level and the lack of any major buildings towering over the beach.

Prior Hawaii Winners

Prior Hawaii beaches that have topped Dr. Beach's list and which are now retired from competition are:

• 2006 Fleming Beach Park - Maui
• 2004 Hanauma Bay - Oahu
• 2003 Kaanapali Beach - Maui
• 2001 Poipu Beach Park - Kauai
• 2000 Mauna Kea Beach - Big Island
• 1999 Wailea Beach - Maui
• 1998 Kailua Beach Park - Oahu
• 1997 Hulopoe Beach - Lanai
• 1996 Lanikai Beach - Oahu
• 1993 Hapuna Beach - Big Island
• 1991 Kapalua Bay Beach - Maui

_{Hanalei Beach photo by John Fischer, licensed to About.com. Hamoa Beach photo courtesy of the Hotel Hana Maui.}