Lumaha`i Beach, HI, Now Public

HANALEI, KAUAI, HAWAII–The State of Hawai`i and the Trust for Public Land announced today the public purchase of Lumaha`i Beach on Kaua`i to be protected as a scenic beach for the people of Hawai`i, now and for future generations. The Trust for Public Land purchased the 40-acre beach property from longtime private landowners and then conveyed the property to the State of Hawai’i to be managed as a public resource.

Situated on the north shore of Kaua`i, just past the town of Hanalei, Lumaha`i Beach is recognized as one of the most beautiful beaches in all of Hawai`i. Lumaha`i Beach was first made famous in the 1957 classic film, South Pacific and is familiar to all who visit Hawai`i from the many postcards, photographs, paintings and movies that depict this renowned beach.

“The Wilcox family has long cared for and shared Lumaha`i Beach with all who live on or visit North Kauai, and TPL is proud to work with the family in the public acquisition and preservation of this treasure,” says Teresa McHugh, project manager for the Trust for Public Land’s Hawaiian Islands Field Office. ” And thanks to Governor Cayetano’s vision in recognizing the value of Lumaha`i Beach to the people of Kaua`i, TPL has had the opportunity to partner with the state on the long term protection of this beach. We look forward to assisting the state on additional projects in the future,” says McHugh.

“As much as our family has cherished Lumaha`i Beach over the years, we have long recognized that this beach is important to all the people of Hawai`i. We have been so pleased to work with the Trust for Public Land to transfer Lumaha`i Beach to the state, to hold for all future generations who live in and visit our islands,” says Pam Dohrman of the Wilcox Family and one of the former landowners.

TPL is a national land conservation organization dedicated to conserving land for people as parks, greenways, wilderness areas and natural, historic, and cultural resources for future generations. Founded in 1972, TPL has protected more than 1.2 million acres nationwide. Since 1979 TPL has protected thousands of acres of Hawaii’s most precious natural, cultural, and historic resources including the Waiahole Beach Park on O`ahu, Crater Hill at Kilauea Point on Kaua`i, and a 1,500-acre virgin rainforest on Maui.