Red Sand Beach
{{Short description|Kaihalulu Beach, Maui, Hawaii, US}}
{{Infobox venue
| name = Red Sand Beach
| image = Red sand ocean bay (Unsplash zNxlvCZhHNA).jpg
| image_size = 300px
| caption = Red Sand Beach and Kaihalulu Bay, Maui
| pushpin_map = Hawaii
| pushpin_label_position = bottom
| pushpin_relief = yes
| coordinates = {{coord|20|45|8|N|155|58|54|W|type:landmark_region:US-HI|display=inline,title|name=Kaihalulu Bay}}
| type = Pocket beach
| parking = Accessible by trail
}}
Red Sand Beach, {{aka}} Kaihalulu Beach, is a pocket beach located on Kaihalulu Bay. It is on the island of Maui, Hawaii, on Ka{{okina}}uiki Head.
Location
Kaihalulu Bay and Red Sand Beach lie on the side of Ka'uiki Head,{{GNIS |360656 |Ka‘uiki Head }} which is a cinder cone just south of Hana Bay, on the eastern coast of Maui island.{{GNIS |1919783 |Kaihalulu Beach}}
The bay name comes from kai halulu which means "roaring sea" in the Hawaiian language.{{Hawaiian Dictionaries |Kaihalulu |dic= cl |accessdate= September 20, 2010}}
The hill name comes from ka {{okina}}uiki which means "the glimmer". It was the site of a fortress and temple (heiau) where several battles were fought against invaders from Hawai{{okina}}i island.
It was also the birthplace of powerful civil leader Queen Ka{{okina}}ahumanu.{{Hawaiian Dictionaries |kauiki |dic=pp |accessdate= September 20, 2010}}{{Hawaiian Dictionaries |Kauiki Head |HASH01e9c6dcdc796e667b30bfba |dic=hpn |accessdate= September 20, 2010}}
Red Sand Beach is partially shielded from the rough open ocean by an offshore reef. The result is a natural sea wall that protects the bay from large waves.
Kaihalulu is one of the few red sand beaches in the world. The sand is a deep red-black, which contrasts with the blue water, the black sea wall, and the green ironwood trees. The cinder cone behind the beach erodes constantly, which continually enlarges the cove.{{cite web |title= Red Sand Beach, the best beach in Hana, on the east end of Maui |work= personal web site |author= Max Buten |url= http://www.buten.net/max/Maui/RedSandBeach/RedSandBeach.htm |accessdate= September 19, 2010 }} This hill is rich in iron and is why the beach's sand is such a deep red.
Kaihalulu is extremely isolated and requires a fairly short, yet perilous hike to reach. The trail to the beach crosses over private property and follows a ridge high above the ocean below. Signs warn visitors that no trespassing is allowed and the path is rather steep and narrow and is quite slippery due to the loose and crumbling cinder as well as needles from nearby ironwood trees. The trail also passes by an ancient Japanese cemetery. Because of the beach's isolation and difficult access, some visitors consider it to be clothing optional.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{cite web |title= Red Sand Beach is a hidden gem |work= Virtual Guidebooks |date= January 4, 2002 |author= G. Donald Bain |url= http://www.virtualguidebooks.com/Hawaii/Maui/HanaBayBeaches/RedSandBeachHana_S.php |accessdate= September 19, 2010 }} A panorama of the beach
- [https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1UrcZGDZUqEcgY3pakHk9crB28cs&hl=en user-generated Google map of location and trail].