Hanakapiai

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A sign warns hikers on the trail to Hanakapi'ai Beach.

Hanakapi'ai Beach is a beach in the Hawaiian islands located on Kauai's Napali Coast (leeward facing coast.) The beach is approximately 2 miles from the start of the Kalalau Trail at Ke'e Beach, a beautiful and very popular hiking trail. During summer months, the beach's sandy shore line is clearly visible. During winter months, powerful waves and high tides wash away the sandy shore line. The beach is a remote area with no road access.

Hanakapi'ai is a popular tourist attraction; however, like many beaches on the Napali Coast, strong rip currents, high surf, dangerous shore breaks and other hazardous ocean conditions make Hanakapi'ai Beach extremely dangerous. The Napali region is especially treacherous because there are no major reefs to hinder powerful ocean currents.

Kauai's geography makes Hanakapi'ai conditions even more hazardous; in the event that one gets caught in a rip current (or otherwise swept out to sea,) the nearest safe shore area is approximately 6 miles away. It is rumored that an Olympic-class swimmer drowned while simply wading in the water. While this is not confirmed, there have been confirmed cases of hikers being swept away by large waves while simply wading in the water to relax themselves after the arduous 2-mile hike. The currents in the region are so powerful that the bodies of at least 15 drowning victims have yet to be recovered. As of September 2005, at least 83 people have drowned at Hanakapi'ai Beach. Visitors who enter the water at any time of the year are in mortal danger.

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--References--

Noland, Eric. "DANGERS LURK BENEATH SURFACE OF THOSE PICTURE-POSTCARD COVES". Daily News. Los Angeles: 8 April 2001

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