Dr. Beach is in town sampling sands
By Jan TenBruggencate
Advertiser Science WriterÊ
Dr. Beach, Stephen Leatherman, in Hawai'i for a convention, is spending his spare time researching pockets of coastal sand for his annual America's Best Beaches list.
Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser
He's staying in Waikiki, a beach he calls great to visit but unlikely ever to make the list. Too many people and hotels too close to the water, he said.
Coastal geologist Stephen Leatherman, Dr. Beach, is staying in Waikiki. He rates the world's beaches each year and compiles an annual list of the best.
Ka'anapali Beach on Maui is the top American beach on the 2003 list, and three other Hawai'i beaches are in the top 10: Hanalei, Makalawena and Hanauma. Florida has three, North Carolina two and New York one. The 2004 list will come out in May.
"Hawai'i and Florida dominate. They have beaches for all seasons," he said.
The Hawaiian Islands have won nine of Leatherman's 13 best beach lists over the years. The winners are removed from the eligible list and cannot win again.
The previous Hawai'i winners: Po'ipu Beach Park, Kaua'i, 2001; Mauna Kea Beach, Hawai'i, 2000; Wailea Beach, Maui, 1999; Kailua Beach Park, O'ahu, 1998; Hulopoe, Lana'i, 1997; Lanikai Beach, O'ahu, 1996; Hapuna, Hawai'i, 1993; Kapalua Bay Beach, Maui, 1991.
Leatherman said he approves of the city's efforts to control access to Hanauma Bay, which has reduced people pressure on the beach. He was saddened to see continued sand loss at Lanikai, one of his winners.
He said he considers 50 factors in selecting his best beaches, from the size of sand grains and safe swimming waters to the presence of unacceptable annoyances such as jellyfish and, yes, humans. You can learn more about his criteria at www.drbeach.org.
The doctor recently wrote a book, "Dr. Beach's Survival Guide: What You Need to Know About Sharks, Rip Currents, and More Before Going in the Water," which he said dispels myths and provides beach-related information.
Leatherman, a coastal geologist at Florida International University, said he was aware of the recent shark attack that took the arm of surfer Bethany Hamilton. But he said shark attacks are so rare, particularly near shore, that he does not include them as criteria for his lists.
Reach Jan TenBruggencate at jant@honoluluadvertiser.com or (808) 245-3074.
