Hanakapiai Beach

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Hanakapiʻai Beach in 1995

Hanakapiai Beach (in Hawaiian, Hanakapiʻai) is a beach in the Hawaiian islands located on Kauai's Na Pali Coast. The beach is approximately two miles from the start of the Kalalau Trail, a beautiful and very popular hiking trail which is located at Keʻe Beach. During summer months, Hanakapiai Beach's sandy shore line is clearly visible; during winter months, dangerously powerful waves and high tides wash away the sandy shore line. The beach is remotely located with no road access.

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

A sign warns hikers on the trail to Hanakapiʻai Beach.

Kauai's geography makes Hanakapiʻai 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 six miles away. 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 two-mile hike^{[citation needed]}. The currents in the region are so powerful that the bodies of at least 15 drowning victims have yet to be recovered. As of December 2006, at least 83 people have drowned at Hanakapiʻai according to a sign posted on the beach. Visitors who enter the water at any time of the year are in mortal danger.