• The Big Island of Hawaii has 266 miles of coastline; Maui 120; Oahu 112; Kauai 90; Molokai 88; Lanai 47; Niihau's 45; and Kahoolawe 29.

• Hawaii beaches crowd Dr. Beach's best beaches list. Dr. Beach's list of the top beaches in America for 2002 includes four Hawaiian beaches in the Top Ten.

Hawaii beaches in the Top Ten
Hanalei, Kaanapali, Hamoa, and Hanauma.

• Hawaii beaches fly Blue Flags. Three beaches on the Big Island of Hawaii have been certified for public safety, cleanliness, and environmental quality by the Clean Beaches Council.

The Council's "Blue Wave Campaign" helps families and tourists identify beaches that don't pose a serious health or safety risk and are managed to protect the environment and beach wildlife.

The Clean Beaches Council has certified the following Blue Wave beaches in Hawaii:

Keauhou Landing, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Halape Shelter, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Ka' aha Beach, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Businesses, or state and local agencies sponsor a beach's application for the Blue Wave, and then the Clean Beaches Council works with environmental and health authorities to verify data. Blue Wave certificates are valid for only one year.

More about Hawaii Beaches | Tour of Oahu Beaches | Tour of Maui Beaches | Tour of Big Island Beaches | Tour of Kauai Beaches | Beachcombing | Beach Art | more beaches |