O'ahu - Hawaii - page 179

STONE-FACED WATCHERS OF THE SEA
At Kulalua Point, the northernmost end of Pupukea Beach, those large stone
boulders are said to be followers of Pele, Hawaiian goddess of fire and volcanoes.
To acknowledge their loyalty - or in darker tellings of the legend, to punish their
nosiness for watching the goddess' passage from onshore - Pele made theʻohana
immortal by turning them to stone.
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Sunset Beach to Waimea Bay
Revered for monster winter waves and having some of the best surf breaks on the planet,
this stretch of coastline running from Sunset Beach all the way to Waimea Bay is a sort
of loose gathering point for the world's best surfers, ardent fans and enthusiastic wan-
nabes. Beyond the beaches, which shouldn't be ignored, lie pockets of lush green beauty.
In ancient Hawaiʻi, the Waimea Valley was heavily settled, with the lowlands terraced in
taro and ridges topped by heiau. Now blocked at the ocean by a sandbar, the river was
once a passage for canoes traveling to villages upstream.
Beaches
The following beaches are listed geographically from northeast to southwest.
Sunset Beach Park BEACH
(59-104 Kamehameha Hwy) Like many North Shore beaches, this one has a seasonally split
personality. In winter the big swells come in and the sand is pounded into submission by
spectacularly large waves. In summer the waves calm down, making it attractive to
swimmers and snorkelers, and the beach actually grows bigger. The park has restrooms,
outdoor showers and a lifeguard tower.
In winter, it's a hot spot for pro wave riders and the posse of followers these rock stars
of the sea attract. The tremendous surf activity causes the slope of the beach to become
increasingly steep as the season goes on. Though the water looks more inviting in sum-
mer, be aware there are still some nasty currents about .
Backyards is a smokin' hot reef break off Sunset Point on the northeastern side of the
beach. With strong currents and a shallow reef, it draws expert windsurfers and tow
surfers.