Big Island · Kaʻū

Papakōlea Green Sand Beach

Papakōlea

Papakōlea Green Sand Beach
Photo: Pedro Szekely · CC BY-SA 2.0

Papakōlea Green Sand Beach (Hawaiian: "plover flats") sits inside Mahana Bay, ~3 miles east of Ka Lae…

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How to visit

Do not remove olivine sand. State and federal ordinances against beach-material removal apply, and the source is finite — the small beach exists because of a slow erosion process, and a hundred visitors each pocketing a handful is a measurable loss. The hike across open lava field is five miles round trip with no shade and no water; bring two liters per person. Local 4WD shuttles drive the access road for a fee; the practice is informal and rental cars are prohibited. The walk is the recommended approach. The descent to the beach is a steep eroded scramble; sturdy shoes required.

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