Page 32 - ARUBA TODAY

A32 FEATURE
Monday 27 May 2019

The white sands of Oahu’s Kailua beach named best in America

By CALEB JONES man’s list was ineligible
Associated Press for inclusion in subsequent
KAILUA, Hawaii (AP) — In years. But in 2015, Dr. Beach
Kailua, the sand is soft and cleared the slate to allow
white, the water is clear any beach in the nation
and calm, and the view is to once again be eligible,
exactly what you would ex- resetting the clock — and
pect from a beach in the perhaps the relevance—
Hawaiian Islands. involving his annual con-
Those are among the rea- test.
sons Oahu’s Kailua Beach Kailua was named the best
Park has been selected as beach in 1998, making it a
the best stretch of sand for two-time winner.
an annual list of top U.S. Leatherman is again retir-
beaches. ing new winners and post-
Stephen Leatherman, a ing them on his website .
coastal scientist and pro- The other beaches on this
fessor at Florida Interna- year’s list are Ocracoke
tional University, has been Lifeguarded Beach on
drafting the list under the North Carolina’s Outer
alias “Dr. Beach” since Banks in second place, fol-
1991. Leatherman uses This May 13, 2010, file photo shows Coopers Beach in Southampton, N.Y. Stephen Leatherman, a lowed by Grayton Beach
50 criteria to evaluate coastal scientist and professor at Florida International University, has been drafting a list of the best State Park in the Florida
beaches, with the most im- beaches in the U.S. under alias “Dr. Beach” since 1991. panhandle; Coopers
portant categories being Associated Press Beach, Southampton, New
water cleanliness, safety In recent years Leatherman her face. “And the scenery Braden Marquez, 18, who York; Duke Kahanamoku
and management of the has been giving extra cred- is beautiful, you just come grew up in Kailua, says he is Beach on Oahu; Coast
beach environment and its it to beaches that prohibit over the hill and it’s just this worried about overcrowd- Guard Beach, Cape Cod,
facilities. Leatherman uses smoking, which all Oahu majestic scene of green ing but also hopeful about Massachusetts; Caladesi
data from the U.S. Environ- beaches do. He thinks ocean.” the future of his hometown. Island State Park, Dunedin-
mental Protection Agency other beaches around the Leatherman acknowl- “This beach is pretty spe- Clearwater, Florida; Hapu-
to grade the beaches on state and country should edged that not everyone cial to me just because my na State Beach Park on Ha-
water quality and has been follow suit. appreciates the publicity family has been coming waii’s Big Island; Coronado
to all the beaches on his list. Leatherman also looks for his lists give to top beaches. here for years and years,” Beach, San Diego, Califor-
Beaches in Hawaii are con- powdery soft white sand, “I get a lot of people who he said, noting the area nia; and Kiawah Beach-
sistently ranked high, some- something Kailua Beach are very happy about it. has changed a lot since his walker Park, Kiawah Island,
times at the top of his list. Park has in abundance. They like to know where to childhood. South Carolina.
“I love Waikiki Beach. No Vari Singh and her family go,” Leatherman said. But “(My) biggest concern Leatherman’s goal in pro-
question about that — a were visiting Oahu from Los “I always get some push- would be losing the locals ducing the list each year,
world-famous beach — but Angeles and spent a day in back. Oh yes, people say, because of the influx of he says, is to reward high-
Kailua is a lot smaller and Kailua. ‘Oh no, we already have people,” he said during a quality, safe beaches that
quieter,” Leatherman said. “The color of the sea is too many people coming recent visit to the beach. balance nature with ac-
“It’s so much more peace- something like we’ve never here. What are you doing?’ “But other than that I’m cessibility and amenities.
ful. ... You don’t have big seen before. The sand is It’s almost like they think it’s pretty excited about all the He hopes beaches that
high-rises and all that. Kai- super soft and fun to play a secret beach or some- new things to come.” haven’t made his list will
lua is on the other side of with, it makes good sand- thing. (Kailua) is not quite For the first 25 years of rank- make changes for a better
the mountains. It’s like a dif- castles,” she said as her a secret beach. It is a real ing, any beach that won experience and a healthier
ferent world.” daughter wiped sand from gem though.” the top spot on Leather- coastal ecosystem.q

In this March 25, 2017, file photo, riders and owners prepare their
This May 21, 2014, file photo shows Duke Kahanamoku Beach in the Honolulu tourist neighborhood horses before the start of the inaugural Kiawah Cup Island Beach
of Waikiki in Hawaii. Race at Beachwalker Park on Kiawah Island in South Carolina.
Associated Press Associated Press