At No. 5, Hamoa Beach in Hana is the highest-ranked Maui beach on Dr. Beach's annual Memorial Day list of the top 10 American beaches this year.
Hanalei on Kauai was No. 1 on the list released Thursday. Hanalei beat out other shores stretching from San Diego to Cape Cod.
"If I want to get away from it all and forget about the rest of the world, Hanalei is about the best place to go, as far as I know," said Dr. Beach, otherwise known as professor Stephen Leatherman of Florida International University.
"The sheer beauty of Hanalei Bay is breathtaking," Leatherman said. "It's really an idyllic setting."
"It's just gorgeous," said Annie Meredith, who regularly surfs in the bay. "You've got green mountains, white sand, blue ocean - that's kind of hard to beat."
Hanalei features postcard views from every angle and is untouched by the feverish development that has transformed the coastlines of other islands. It's cherished by both locals and tourists as the perfect spot to swim, surf, snorkel or simply escape and unwind.
One day recently, honeymooner Courtney McNealy told a reporter she and her husband, Dirk, saw only about 50 people along two miles of Hanalei.
"Back in Florida, it seems like there's 50 people in a 10-foot stretch," she said.
Danny Mynar, assistant general manager at Hotel Hana-Maui, said that if McNealy had been on the smaller Hana beach Thursday, she probably wouldn't have seen more than about 15 people, although it was a "pretty nice day," with light trades. "The water is beautiful," Mynar said.
Hamoa was 10th on Dr. Beach's list in 2005 and seventh in 2004.
This year's runner-up was Siesta Beach in Sarasota, Fla., followed by Coopers Beach in Southampton, N.Y., on Long Island; Coronado Beach in San Diego; and Hamoa.
Selection is based on scoring of 50 criteria, to eliminate subjective feelings, although Leatherman admitted that Hanalei is his favorite "getaway" in Hawaii. He personally inspects every beach nominated for the list.
It took a surprisingly long time for Hanalei to reach the top, since it is, after Waikiki, perhaps the most famous beach in Hawaii, thanks to its starring role in the movie "South Pacific."
More recently, the north shore of Kauai served as the backdrop in films from "Raiders of the Lost Ark" to "Tropic Thunder," which starred part-time resident Ben Stiller, one of many celebrities who vacation or live here.
In the winter, swells and rip currents pick up at Hanalei Bay and lifeguards are kept busy. Hanalei and surrounding areas have several top surf breaks. This is where three-time surfing world champion Andy Irons lives and honed his skills.
Even when the surf is up, parts of the bay are protected by an outer reef, so people can still swim safely. However, visitors should be aware of conditions and posted signs and check with lifeguards.
"Because of the beauty, it's deceiving," said Mark McKamey, who has been a lifeguard in the area for 17 years. "It's paradise so it gives them a false sense of security."
In the summer, the waters flatten out. Locals can be seen throw-net fishing, catching opelu and akule, a Native Hawaiian tradition.
"There's a good vibe overall," said McKamey.
There are three parks within the bay: Black Pot, Hanalei Pavilion and Waioli. Several surfing schools offer two-hour sessions for $50-$60 and rent gear.
Nestled between two rivers, Hanalei is the largest bay on the island of Kauai.
Leatherman said one of his favorite views of the bay is from The St. Regis Princeville Resort, located on the bluff. The 252-room hotel reopens in October after nearly a year of renovations.
Leatherman started rating beaches almost by accident in 1991 when a travel magazine editor asked him for a list. The list Leatherman gave was in no particular order, but the first name on it was Kapalua Bay Beach.
Suddenly, Kapalua beach was officially the best beach in the country. Leatherman then had to regularize the process, and he developed the list as a teaching tool for the National Healthy Beaches Campaign at the Laboratory for Coastal Research he heads at Florida International (www.ihrc.fiu.edu/nhbc/).
Hawaii has dominated the list, but because each year's top beach is eliminated from future competitions, the share of Hawaii beaches in the top 10 has been going down.
After Kapalua, Hawaii beaches captured the top spot in 1993 (Hapuna), 1996 (Lanikai), 1997 (Hulupoe). 1998 (Kailua), 1999 (Wailea), 2000 (Mauna Kea), 2001 (Poipu), 2003 (Kaanapali), 2004 (Hanauma) and 2006 (Fleming Beach).
Mynar predicted Hamoa will be more crowded this weekend, thanks to Memorial Day, and has had more visitors recently because the Paihi Bridge is closed. Tour buses turning around at the bridge have been stopping at Hamoa and letting the tourists look around, although they don't have time to go into the water. When the bridge is reopened, scheduled for June 1, Mynar said he expects Hamoa to revert to its status as one of the least-crowded great beaches in the country.
On the Net:
* Dr. Beach's Top 10:
