Preheat oven to 350°. Beat egg whites until foamy. Add salt and vanilla, then continue beating until the whites begin to hold a shape. Add sugar 2 tablespoons at a time and continue beating until stiff but not dry. Fold in coconut. Drop by teaspoon portions onto the cookie sheet, leaving room for the cookies to spread during baking. Add a 1/2 a cherry to the center of each cookie. Bake for 15 minutes.