Pleasant Holidays launched a new offer for Hawaii this summer. It features a free fourth, fifth or sixth night at 21 hotels and resorts in Hawaii.

“A Hawaii vacation is the perfect summer getaway for families, couples and extended-family gatherings in a tropical paradise, and these free-night offers are at some of our best-selling five-star resorts, among many others. These include Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui; Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort; Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko’Olina,” said Pleasant Holidays CEO Jack Richards in a news release.

The offer is valid for new bookings and certain restrictions and blackout dates may apply. Travel advisors can visit pleasantagent.com or call 1-800-448-3333 for more information. 

With summer just around the corner, beach lovers are eager to find the best sandy spots in the U.S. The person with the answers: Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, also known as Dr. Beach.

Every year, Leatherman ranks the top U.S. beaches along the Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific coasts. He uses 50 criteria scored on a five-point scale, including sand softness, number of sunny days, cleanliness, and more.

A geoscientist and coastal ecologist, Leatherman earned his nickname while teaching a course on waves and beaches at the University of Maryland. His students began calling him “Dr. Beach.”

This year, Duke Kahanamoku Beach in Hawaii has been named the number one beach in the United States in Dr. Beach’s annual Best Beaches awards, published just in time for Memorial Day Weekend.

What Leatherman loves about Duke Kahanamoku Beach: “It has the finest white coral sand and clear water, with the iconic Diamondhead volcano in the distance,” he said in a statement. “Its location at the west end of Waikiki Beach means it’s far from the large crowds, making it the widest beach on this world-famous stretch of sand.”

The winning beach is protected by an offshore coral reef, which makes it an ideal spot for families with children. The nearby Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon is also a favorite for bathing and swimming. “Hawaii’s smoking ban on all beaches enhances public health and protects marine life, earning extra points in my ranking,” said Leatherman.

Unfortunately, North Carolina’s Lighthouse Beach, a long-time favorite, is absent from this year’s list due to severe erosion and environmental contamination from an old U.S. Navy submarine spy station revealed by coastal storms. “Lighthouse Beach is an erosion hotspot and currently caught in an environmental and bureaucratic mess,” said Leatherman.

From Hawaii to Florida, here are Dr. Beach’s 10 best beaches for 2024.

1. Duke Kahanamoku Beach – Oahu, Hawaii

Why it made the list: “Kahanamoku Beach is located on the west end of Waikiki Beach, far from the large crowds elsewhere,” says Leatherman. “It is the widest beach on this world-famous stretch of sand and protected by an offshore coral reef, making it a good beach for families with children.”

A tip: Check out the Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon, which is protected by an offshore coral reef—“ideal for families with children,” says Leatherman. The iconic Diamond Head volcano adds to its picturesque beauty.

2. Coopers Beach – Southampton, New York

Why it made the list: “Coopers Beach is located on the south shore of Long Island, shielded from the cold Labrador currents in the beautiful village of Southampton,” says Leatherman. “This first Gold Coast in the country is hundreds of yards wide, made of grainy white quartz sand, and backed by large sand dunes and extravagant mansions.”

A tip: “Some of the best beach access in the Hamptons exists on Coopers Beach; a snack bar serving lunch and drinks can be found here as well,” says Leatherman.

3. Wailea Beach – Maui, Hawaii

Why it made the list: “Wailea Beach is a series of five pocket beaches that are part of the Wailea resort complex, which provides public right-of-way for visitors,” says Leatherman. “The white coral sand beach gently slopes offshore and is great for snorkeling when the ocean is calm.”

A tip: “The beautifully landscaped park, adorned with tropical vegetation and flowering bushes and trees, makes this beach even more special,” says Leatherman.

4. Caladesi Island State Park – Dunedin/Clearwater, Florida

Why it made the list: “Caladesi is accessed via pedestrian ferry boat, private boats, or a long walk north from Clearwater Beach,” says Leatherman. “The white beach, composed of crystalline quartz sand, is soft and cushy at the water’s edge, inviting one to take a dip in the sparkling clear waters.”

A tip: “Leatherman recommends taking a kayak or canoe trip through the mangroves to see large blue herons and other birds that frequent this wonderful natural area.”

5. Beachwalker Park – Kiawah Island, South Carolina

Why it made the list: “Beachwalker Park is the public beach on the southern end of Kiawah Island, a nature-lovers coast where visitors can bring their canoes and kayaks to paddle through the tidal inlets,” says Leatherman.

A tip: “It’s fun to walk or bicycle down the fine-grained sand beach to Captain Sam’s Inlet to see thousands of birds,” says Leatherman. “The water isn’t clear, but it is clean and provides fantastic seafood.”

6. Main Beach – East Hampton, New York

Why it made the list: “Main Beach blends nature and built environment perfectly,” says Leatherman. “Wealthy summertime residents flock to the beaches protected by a conservation easement dating back over 300 years.”

A tip: “Main Beach is great for star-spotting as many actors and actresses visit for its peaceful, countryside setting,” says Leatherman. “The best way to get around is by bicycling to avoid parking issues.”

7. Poipu Beach – Kauai, Hawaii

Why it made the list: “Located on the sunny, dry side of this island, Poipu Beach is actually two beaches in one,” says Leatherman. “A tombolo, a narrow sand spit, separates the two pocket beaches, with the offshore island knocking down the big waves.”

A tip: “Small waves break gently on the shallow sandbar, creating a fun area for children to play,” says Leatherman. “As you move along the crescent-shaped beach, the waves vary in size.”

8. Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park – Naples, Florida

Why it made the list: “This barrier island beach boasts beautiful white sand beaches and crystal-clear Gulf waters,” says Leatherman. “Activities include swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, shelling and fishing.”

A tip: “Pine trees provide welcome shade,” says Leatherman. “The park is still recovering from Hurricane Ian in 2022, so some areas remain closed.”

9. Coast Guard Beach – Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Why it made the list: “Accessible by bicycle from the Salt Pond Visitor’s Center or shuttle bus, Coast Guard Beach offers a spectacular view of the Nauset Spit barrier system and bay,” says Leatherman. “The picturesque old Coast Guard station still sits atop the glacial bluffs.”

A tip: “During the summer, beachgoers take quick, refreshing dips in the ocean as the water is chilly,” says Leatherman. “Always swim near a lifeguard and heed the red flags with shark images if present.”

10. Coronado Beach – San Diego, California

Why it made the list: “Coronado Beach is the toast of Southern California with its unique Mediterranean climate and fine sparkling sands containing mica,” says Leatherman. “The local landmark Hotel del Coronado has hosted kings, sheiks and celebrities for over a hundred years.”

A tip: “The beach is great for ship-watching and summer’s warm and mild surf,” says Leatherman. “Check online for water quality before swimming and surfing.”

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The Hawaii Sports Officials Hall of Fame’s 2024 class of inductees will include well-known figures from the worlds of football, water polo, boxing and basketball.

The five august arbiters of competitive sport—Jim Beavers, Aaron Chaney, Abraham Pacheco, Kenichi “Stupe” Shimogawa and Thomas Yoshida—are fresh proof that the hall is not for those short of tooth or tender of foot.

“We are extremely excited to honor these five individuals for induction to the class of 2024,” said HSOHOF president Cal Evans. “This is our seventh class and we are very proud to celebrate their accomplishments.”

Beavers started officiating youth football games in Oklahoma in 1956 before moving to Hawaii in 1960. He joined the Oahu Interscholastic Association Football Officials Association in 1974 and spent the next 44 years officiating middle and high school football games, a run that included six Oahu Prep Bowl games and the 2000 HHSAA championship game. In 1999, he succeeded Roy Chong as OIA football commissioner, a post he held for 17 years.

Before he became an official, Chaney was a national championship athlete in water polo at UC Santa Barbara. His involvement in the sport provided the grounding he needed to spend more than 40 years as an acclaimed coach and internationally respected official. Chaney worked 20 NCAA men’s and 10 women’s championships including 15 championship games. He also worked the 2004 and 2008 Olympics in Athens and Beijing, including the men’s semifinal in 2004. Chaney also worked four FINA World Championships highlighted by the women’s bronze medal game. He is a member of both the UCSB and University of Hawaii Swimming Halls of Fame and was inducted to the 2023 USA Water Polo Hall of Fame as a coach and a referee.

Pacheco was also an accomplished athlete before becoming an official in his sport of choice. He was born in Hilo and raised in the sugar plantation camps of Wainaku, competing as a boxer in the 119-pound weight class before becoming a sanctioned official in the 1970s. Pacheco officiated numerous Golden Gloves and Police Activities League events and later worked fights in the North American Boxing Federation, US Boxing Association, the World Boxing Council and International Boxing Federation. He worked over 30 world championship fights across three decades.

Shimogawa, who is being honored posthumously, was a founding member of the Kauai Pop Warner football program in 1963 and served as commissioner of the league from 1964 to 2005, performing every job from on-field official to chain crew, timer to ball person. He was also instrumental in designating game proceeds to the local Shriners organization. His honors include National Federation of Interscholastic Officials Association Hawaii official of the year in 1997.He was also honored at the Hawaii State Legislature in 2011 and 2015 for his contributions to Kauai Pop Warner football. Shimogawa died in 2017.

Thomas Yoshida began officiating when he was just 19 years old, learning under the tutelage of HSO hall-of-famer Fuzzy Richards. Yoshida worked his first varsity basketball game with another hall-of-famer, Sam Delos Reyes, then proceeded to make a name for himself over 41 high school seasons, working 13 state championship games and 31 OIA championships. In 1993, he was hired to work in the Western Athletic Conference and spent 20 years in Division I and 26 years in Division 2 and NAIA. He continues to contribute by serving as rules analyst with Spectrum OC16 as well as presenting rules clinics on Oahu and the neighbor islands.

The five will be honored on Sunday, Sept. 1, at the Ala Moana Hotel. For reservations or to view a complete list of previous inductees, visit the HSOHOF web site at www.hawaiisportsofficialshalloffame.org.