From Kaihalulu out to Hamoa, these are the beaches of Maui's North Shore. Read this "Star-Bulletin" article about beach safety in Hawaii.

Kaihalulu Beach (Red Sand Beach)

Hana area, Maui, Hawaii. Also known as Red Sand Beach, Kaihalulu is a beautiful, secluded beach that is almost impossible to get to. The steep walk down from the road is very treacherous, and many severe accidents have occured there. Many locals refuse to make the trip. The beach has red sand and spectacular blue water, good swimming, fantastic fishing, and great snorkeling.

Location :: Hana.

Access :: Turn off of Uakea Road to Hana Bay. Follow the road through the town center, passing the public tennis courts. Park and proceed on foot down a beaten path. Ahead, you'll see an old Japanese cemetary. Below, you'll see pockets of red sand scattered among fingers of black lava and unbelievably blue water. Follow the path around Kauiki Head into the amphitheatre left by the cinder cone.

Services :: None.

Notes :: The walk down can be extremely dangerous! The beach is best before 11 am. Afterward, the temperatures can soar, and the northern winds can stir rough currents.

Koki Beach

Hana area, Maui, Hawaii. Dangerous riptides make swimming at Koki a very dangerous proposition. Koki is best used for casual beachcombing.

Location :: A mile outside of Hana, heading towards Oheo.

Access :: While traveling the Hana Highway, look for Haneoo Road on your left. There should be a sign directing you to both Koki and nearby (see below) Hamoa Beach.

Services :: None.

Notes :: About twenty years ago, an old man named Smitty turned his back on society and came to Koki Beach to live as a monk. Living in a cave on the north side of the beach, he cleaned up the beach, and was a lifeguard of sorts, saving people who dared the riptides. He was a popular figure and would post his "thoughts for the day" on the Hana public bulletin board. But in 1984 his cave collapsed on top of him. When the rubble was cleared, his body was found in a kneeling position, and the story is that he died while meditating.

Hamoa Beach

Hana area, Maui, Hawaii. This lovely beach, found less than mile from Koki, is perfect for swimming or snorkeling on the calm days, and good for bodysurfing on the windy. As Hamoa is the semi-private beach of the Hotel Hana-Maui, it is well-maintained, as shown by the paved, torchlit walkway leading to the beach.

Location :: A few minutes past Koki Beach on Hamoa Road.

Access :: Hamoa Road.

Services :: Showers, restrooms, pavilion.

Notes :: The Hotel Hana-Maui shuttles hotel guests to the beach every hour. If hob-nobbing with the hotel crowd isn't your idea of fun, then be sure to get to Hamoa by mid-morning and stay until the late afternoon.