1/02

In spite of recent efforts to constrict clothing-optional recreation at some well-known traditional Hawaiian beaches, the islands are fast becoming the topfree mecca of sunbathing for many female European and South American vacationers.

On Kauai, Maui, or Oahu, more-and-more women are revealing more and returning home with very few tan lines. They represent a cross-section of countries like Ireland, England, Holland, and Australia who are not inhibited when it comes to whipping off a bikini top.

Most seek out a more off-the-beaten path beach up on Oahu's North Shore, Kauai'i's North Shore, or east and west sides of Maui, but some can be found in high-traffic areas like Waikiki Beach, too!

The one overarching fact is that being topless isn't against any law. At worse, someone may complain (rarely) and the free-spirited female may be asked to cover up (again, happens RARELY).

With Spring Break fast approaching, the weather on the Islands looks as if it'll be much more tan-friendly than it was the last couple of years at that time which should promote even more topfreedom.

Mark my words; see for yourself! This Hawaiian Paradise is the place to be topfree!!!

--Rayne, Honolulu, Hawaii

10/01

I've had many friends come visit me in Hawaii, and ladies who wanted to look like locals -- tanned and beautiful when they went back to the mainland.

Any beach on Oahu is a topfree zone, as many of my lady friends have enjoyed. If there is ever a problem, a lifeguard would say something like "put your top on." My friends been tanning topless, belly up for hours many times.

The best places to go are the North Shore of Oahu, even Waikiki although less common down there. On Kauai, anywhere is a nice beach to find one to 10 topless women -- I know, I see with my eyes. My friends from Ohio, California and Virginia didn't waste time pulling their bikini tops off at those places when I took them there.

Maui and the Big Island good beaches too where no one really cares if a woman is topfree.

Sources have told me that island officials are asked directly about women going topless on Hawaii beaches, they say "no rule against it."

They also say, "As long as no one complains."

This is the land of Aloha. You can relax and kick back here, it's Paradise!

--Kimo, Oahu, Hawaii

7/01

On a recent tropical vacation earlier this past June, I visited the Hawaiian Islands for a few days. Topless freedom is practiced on all that I'd been on! I took my top off every time at beaches on Oahu, Maui, and Kauai, and did not get hassled at all. Did so for hours in each instance, too! I asked one of the lifeguards if it was OK to tan topless, and he said if no one complained -- no one did either. Oftentimes, there were families and some children around in many cases. Also, I came to find out that there is no law specifically prohibiting toplessness in Hawaii. It is done all the time, just not advertised. I did put my bikini top on when entering the water as a "courtesy" but could have gone without it that way too, I am sure. Well, that is a recap of my experience!

--Marie, Youngstown, Ohio

6/00

I've lived here since late 1998, and every year so far I've encountered women going topfree on Waikiki Beach, Kailua Beach on the Windward side of Oahu, and especially on Oahu's North Shore.

Most who do decide to untop are vacationing European women who are quite comfortable doing so in their native countries. Others are from Australia or South America, too. The reason the North Shore attracts more topfree activity is because the number of inexpensive "backpacker/B&B" style accommodations dotted along Kamehameha Highway up there.

Topfreedom is not widespread by any stretch of the imagination. At best, it's spotty on Waikiki but much more common on North Shore like at Pupukea, where the beaches are wide, long and not very populated in summer months. This beach area gets heavier use from the surfing crowd attracted by high waves during winter months, but dies down to nearly flat conditions from May through October.

Regardless, I've noted topless female sunbathers that way for up to four HOURS without being bothered about it, by anyone.

There is an ordinance about lewd conduct on the islands with nothing specific about toplessness or nudity, but I've never seen any topfree female hassled for wanting to maximize her tan. I'm told that the only time it's a problem is when someone feels like being offended at the sight of exposed female breasts. Then the lifeguard would simply ask the individual to cover up. Like I said, I've never witnessed this process yet.

--Robert, Honolulu, Hawaii