Judged fully recovered from impacts of two hurricanes, Po’ipu Beach has been named America’s Best Beach for 2001 by Dr. Stephen “Dr. Beach” Leatherman. It is the first time a Kaua’i beach has topped the list. Hanalei Bay’s beach was
Judged fully recovered from impacts of two hurricanes, Po’ipu Beach has been named America’s Best Beach for 2001 by Dr. Stephen “Dr. Beach” Leatherman.
It is the first time a Kaua’i beach has topped the list. Hanalei Bay’s beach was fourth on this year’s list.
Po’ipu takes the top prize for golden coral sand on a crescent-shaped beach framed by crystal-clear blue water and a mountain backdrop, said Leatherman, director of the Laboratory for Coastal Research at Florida International University near Miami.
“Kaua’i is a perfect setting. They were really badly hurt by Hurricane ‘Iniki, but the beach is 90 to 95 percent back now,” said Leatherman.
“With that big a storm, it can take beaches up to 10 years to come back.”
Po’ipu Beach Park, a crown jewel in the county’s public parks system and a focal point in promotional efforts of the Po’ipu Beach Resort Association, is also a stop on the recently opened Koloa Heritage Trail.
The trail has several historical sites with an interpretive brochure guide and plaques at each of the nearly 15 stops.
As probably could be predicted, no Kaua’i beaches made Leatherman’s list of best beaches with night life. Leatherman has been ranking America’s beaches for 11 years.
