Kahemano Beach
Lanai City, HI
Kahemano Beach is a mile long stretch of white sand mixed with coral rubble on Lanai's east shore, a few miles past Keomuku on the same dirt road. Its name translates to school of sharks, a nod to the reef sharks that patrol the narrow channels offshore, and it's fishermen casting for ulua who make up most of the traffic here.
Ulua fishing here is genuinely good enough that locals make the drive for it, but there's little for anyone not fishing, and the rocky, shark patrolled water keeps it off the swimming list entirely.
How we score beachesThis is a fishing beach, not a swimming one. Come for the walk and the shade under the kiawe trees, and leave the water to the people who know the reef.
No lot, just pull offs along the dirt continuation of Keomuku Road roughly seven miles from where the pavement ends. Four wheel drive and dry conditions make the difference between an easy drive and a stuck one.
A rough, unpaved approach from the road to the sand, with coral rubble underfoot in places. Not a beach for strollers or anyone unsteady on uneven ground.
Dry season makes the access road manageable. The shallow, rocky ocean floor keeps this an unswimmable beach regardless of time of year, so plan around fishing and walking rather than the water.
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