HAWAII’S TOP BEACHES

Researching which Hawaiian beaches are the most sublime must be a tough job. Just think of the work involved in evaluating the relative sunshine, soft sand and lapping waves on some of the planet’s most gorgeous islands. We’d volunteer for this terribly difficult task — we’re noble like that — but someone’s already beaten us to it. Stephen “Dr. Beach” Leatherman and the editors at 10Best — USA Today’s readers choice awards website — have winnowed Hawaii’s 750 miles of beautiful coastline down to 20 spectacular beaches. Now they’re asking readers to vote for their favorites.

Leatherman, director of the Laboratory for Coastal Research at Florida International University, has spent nearly 30 years evaluating beaches based on 50 criteria, from water temperature to sand softness. His 2018 list of top U.S. beaches will be released in May. But you can explore his top 20 Hawaiian beaches and vote for your favorite at 10Best (http://bit.ly/2FGQy2m) from until 9 a.m. April 2. Meanwhile, here’s just a sampling to tempt your wanderlust.

• Hanalei Bay, Kauai

• Hanauma Bay, Oahu

• Hapuna State Beach, Big Island

• Hulopoe Beach, Lanai

• Kaanapali Beach, Maui

• Kapalua Beach, Maui

• Kaunaoa Beach, Big Island

• Keawakapu Beach, Maui

• Ke’e Beach, Kauai

• Lanikai Beach, Oahu

COURTESY OF ISLAND LEIGH You can swim with the humuhumunukunukuapuaa, the reef trigger fish, at Oahu’s Hanauma Bay.