On Maui, certainly. Dr. Beach says this year’s best beach is Kaanapali on Maui. The last survey Dr. Beach did listed Poipu Beach on Kauai as the best. I see a trend here.

See? Hawaii has the best beaches. Dr. Beach says so.

Who is Dr. Beach?

He’s Stephen Leatherman, a meteorologist and professor at Florida International University in Miami. Dr. Beach selects a new beach each year and then pulls that beach from his list of annual favorites so it can’t be a winner again.

Otherwise, Hawaii would have all the top spots on Dr. Beach’s beach list.

He’s hard to argue with. The Kaanapali beach on Maui is arguably as good as it gets. At least for 2003. Dr. Beach takes more into consideration than just sand. Granularity is important. Beach cleanliness ranks high on his list of required attributes.

You can’t have a dirty beach and make the Top 10 list.

Amenities are important, too, and that’s where Hawaii beaches shine. There’s enough, but not too many, hotels and resorts nearby that attractive activities are available. On Kaanapali Beach, which extends from Black Rock all the way to Canoe Beach, you’ll find soft, light brown sand.

The water is tranquil enough for snorkeling, surfing, canoeing, kayaking, or just sitting along the beach and yakking.

How do Hawaii’s beaches compare today vs. years past? Well, Hawaii won in 2001 with Poipu on Kauai. Hawaii won again in 2000 with the Mauna Keya Beach on the Big Island, Wailea won in 1999. Kailua beach on Oahu won in 1998. Hulopoe was the winner in 1997, Lanikai in 1996.

Wait. There’s more.

The Big Island’s Hapuna Beach won in 1993 and Maui’s Kapalua Beach was the winner in 1991. We capitalize the “B” in beach. As in, “Hey, you goin’ to da Beach, bra?”

Is that cool, or what?

This year Hanalei beach on Kauai came in at Number 3 and two other Hawaii beaches rounded out the Top 10.

Dr. Beach knows his beaches. Or, he gets a free trip and hotel stay at the “beach resort” of his choice.

More about the good Dr. at http://www.drbeach.org.

Want to know the best places to eat in Hawaii? Click over to Ono Dining for totally biased reviews on Hawai's best (and not so best) restaurants.