Heading north out of Kapaa on Highway 56, you'll see a half-mile stretch of golden beach hugging the curve of the highway. Here the surf plays tag with the sun, someone is always trying to catch a wave and the beach is patchworked with sunbathers. The beach has a long sand bar bottom that provides a nice surf break throughout the year, but the currents can be tricky, so if you go swimming be sure to stay near the lifeguard tower. The best swimming area is at the north end, where a breakwater creates a protected area. The beach is located in a former plantation settlement called Kealia. The name comes from the ancient Hawaiian practice of collecting sea water to dry into salt.