Favorite Beach
 

OK Slippahs,

You have helped so many with your input and local knowledge. There is no doubt about it--you are the man. Now my next question, you may not want to divulge the answer. What is your favorite beach? If you want to keep it to yourself, no problem. If I had a place that I loved here in Michigan, I probably wouldn't want loud, obnoxious tourists discovering it either.

I think most of the people that keep up with Flyertalk have respect for any place in Hawai'i.

Well, this wasn't addressed to me, but FWIW, this kama`aina's favorite beaches in Hawai`i are:

1. Polihua Beach, Lana`i
2. Hapuna Beach, Hawai`i
3. Makena (Big) Beach, Maui
4. Hulopoe Bay (White Manele), Lana'i
5. Lanikai Beach, O`ahu
6. Anini Beach/Hanalei Bay, Kaua`i

White Manele used to be my favorite until they built the hotel and then the secret was out. I'm glad, however, that more people are able to enjoy these special places. Just leave a little stretch of sand open for me...

Flyin Hawaiian,

Sorry I didn't address that post universally. I appreciate your input. I have heard some great things about LaniKai and Hapuna. I hope to see both of them in December. Good idea to rank them. I'll have a go at it.

1) Red Sand Beach, Hana
2) Waimea, North Shore
3) Kapalua Bay, Maui
4) Makapu'u, Oahu
5) Waimanalo Beach, Oahu

Yup, there are many other dedicated kama'aina out there willing to help (FlyinHawaiian being one of those especially helpful kinda guys). http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...um/biggrin.gif

I've personally never been to Lana'i or Moloka'i, which I think is a big mistake on my behalf. We have always had plans to visit but Lana'i is extremely expensive... but there's really no excuse for Moloka'i. Riding a mule sure beats the heck out of driving in gridlock on the H-1 anyday.

My best beach experiences are:

1. Hanalei Bay
2. Anything Wailea or Makena side on Maui
3. Lanikai
4. Makapu'u
5. ... and right off the HHV Lagoon... it's just a special spot http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/wink.gif

Of course, guidebooks and magazines will always give different answers... oh well.

Aloha

If anyone has a chance to see Red Sand beach, please do it. It is the most beautiful, unique and isolated beach I have ever been to. It is at the end of the famed "Road to Hana" on Maui. It is difficult to find and once you find it, it is not real easy to get to. Access is in the town of Hana, near the Hana school buildings. You have to walk next to(not over or through) an old Japanese cemetary. The surf has washed away some of the tombstones and you can see them on the shoreline. Follow the trail along the side of the hill and about 1/2 mile down you will see it. Amazing. I have no other words, you have to see it. Caution: I have been there twice and each time there was a few nudists there. Not a big deal to me but if this offends you, don't go.

Thanks for the compliment, slippahs, although since I am on the real "Big Island" now, I will concede local authority to you, lavarock, and anyone else lucky enough to still be living there.

You should try and get to both Moloka`i and Lana`i. Moloka`i is full of mana, only seconded to Kaho`olawe, which I have been lucky enough to walk on (briefly). To veer back on topic, Papohaku Beach by the Kaluakoi Resort is also a great beach. If you camp out there on a clear and moonless night, you can look across the Ka`iwi Channel and see the streetlights of the houses by Sandy Beach...

As for Lana`i, I understand why the needed to build the resorts (and I've enjoyed my stays at both) and I am glad the folks there have jobs, but I consider myself lucky that I was able to spend some time there when it was still a pineapple plantation. Ah, the good old days... http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif

RedSandFan: I agree with you on the red sand beach ... although it's one of the easier to get to of my favorite beaches in Hawaii. (I tend to like beaches with no one else on them and that usually requires some work - unless you're on Molokai.) It's a great place to swim when the water's calm because there's a natural sea wall, but when the water's rough, it mixes it up that much more. For those interested in getting there you do have to disregard a rather peculiar sign - it says "No Trespassing" then goes on to say something like, Use the trail at your own risk. Go figure. The five-minute trail starts down by the Hotel Hana Maui's ocean cottages.