|
Poipu
Beach Park, Hawaii, Tops 11th-annual 'America's Best Beaches' List Poipu Beach Park, a mainstay on previous lists with its fascinating geography and brilliant blue water, is one of six Hawaiian beaches to make the 20-entry list this year and the sixth-consecutive Hawaiian beach to top the list. Kaanapali (No. 3), Hanalei Beach (4), Hamoa Beach (7), Makena State Park (12) and Hanauma Bay (15) are the other five in this year's ranking. Six Florida beaches, led by No. 2 pick St. Joseph Peninsula State Park, made the list, as did Perdido Key (17), which is part of both Florida and Alabama, said Leatherman, who is also known as "Dr. Beach." Additional Florida beaches include Caladesi Island State Park (No. 5), Fort DeSoto Park (6), Cape Florida State Recreational Area (9) and Siesta Beach (13). "While most of the best beaches are located in Hawaii and Florida, there are truly spectacular oceanfront areas throughout the coastal United States, including North Carolina, New York, California, New Jersey and Massachusetts," said Leatherman. "The good news is that states are more than ever realizing the value of these areas and taking steps to protect them, so that future generations can enjoy them for years to come." In making his selections, Leatherman uses 50 time-tested criteria organized in three broad categories: Physical Factors, such as sand softness, wave size and current strength; Biological Factors, such as water color and quality, and presence of pests; and Human-Use Factors, such as lifeguard protection, visual obstructions and amenities. "Poipu Beach Park on Kauai was ravaged by Hurricane Iniki in 1992, but has now recovered to its former splendor," said Leatherman. "This coral beach is known for its light golden sand, which blends nicely with the crystal-blue water. It is perfect for a range of activities because of its unique 'tombolo' shape, wherein flat water gradually grades into a pulsating surf. One of my favorite activities is snorkeling with the beautiful tropical fish in the protected waters." The following is the complete list of the 2001 America's Best Beaches rankings:
Previous National Winners, which are excluded from the survey, are: Kapalua Bay Beach, HI ('91), Bahia Honda SRA, FL ('92), Hapuna, HI ('93), Grayton Beach SRA, FL ('94), St. Andrews SRA, FL ('95), Lanikai Beach, HI ('96), Hulopoe, HI ('97), Kailua Beach Park, HI ('98), Wailea Beach, HI ('99) and Mauna Kea Beach, HI ('00). Drawing from the national Best Beaches list, Leatherman this year also composed a lit of America's Best Regional Beaches: Northeast:
East Hampton Main Beach, NY These
and hundreds of other coastal areas are described in Leatherman's
book, "America's Best Beaches" (Coastal Publications,
1998). Further information on the publication is available at www.drbeach.org.
Leatherman has a Ph.D. in Environmental (Coastal) Sciences from the University of Virginia and a B.S. degree in Geosciences from North Carolina State University. In addition to "America's Best Beaches," he has authored or edited 12 books - including the acclaimed, "Sea Level Rise: History and Consequences" (Academic Press, 2000) and published more than 100 journal articles and technical reports. Leatherman has also provided expert testimony 10 times to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives on various coastal and environmental topics. He was the on-screen host and co-producer of the award-wining documentary, "Vanishing Lands." Founded in 1965, FIU is now one of America's leading universities in environmental studies and research. Current projects include laser mapping of coastal areas in Southeast Florida and a federally funded study of how best to preserve the Everglades. Media contacts: Todd Martinez-Padilla Simmons (305) 348-2716 or 2232 David Umansky (202) 357-2627, ext. 106. |
