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South Kau Region
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Location: South Kau
Known as Green Sand Beach or even Pu'u o Mahana, Papakolea Beach, is well deserving of its name. The olive-like color of the sand comes from the presence of a greenish, semi-precious stone named, appropriately enough, olivine. The erosive force of the ocean washing into the base of Pu'u o Mahana cinder cone has extracted olivines out of the cinder. These are deposited on the sand, giving the sand a green tint.
Known as Green Sand Beach or even Pu'u o Mahana, Papakolea Beach, is well deserving of its name. The olive-like color of the sand comes from the presence of a greenish, semi-precious stone named, appropriately enough, olivine. The erosive force of the ocean washing into the base of Pu'u o Mahana cinder cone has extracted olivines out of the cinder. These are deposited on the sand, giving the sand a green tint.
Location: South Kau
The turnoff for South Point Road is between the 69 and 70 mile markers with a large green sign pointing makai. The traditional Hawaiian name for South Point is Ka Lae meaning “the point.” The two-lane paved road cuts through macadamia nut groves, pasture land and a Mauna Loa lava flow. About five miles into the 12 mile trip to Ka Lae the road shifts to a one-lane rugged passageway through vast, flat pastureland. Short, scrubby plants cling to the fields while cattle graze. A little further down the road you’ll see rows of metal giants reaching toward the skies, their huge metal arms straining against the fierce South Point wind. When it was built in the late 1980s, the Kamoa Wind Farm had over 30 operating turbines. Some of these massive windmills may still spin but many, rusted and broken down are a bit sad against the landscape. Off the road and closer to the point are Tawhiri Power’s 14 brand new GE turbines, which when completed in early 2007 were expected to bring power to 10,000 Big Island homes.
The turnoff for South Point Road is between the 69 and 70 mile markers with a large green sign pointing makai. The traditional Hawaiian name for South Point is Ka Lae meaning “the point.” The two-lane paved road cuts through macadamia nut groves, pasture land and a Mauna Loa lava flow. About five miles into the 12 mile trip to Ka Lae the road shifts to a one-lane rugged passageway through vast, flat pastureland. Short, scrubby plants cling to the fields while cattle graze. A little further down the road you’ll see rows of metal giants reaching toward the skies, their huge metal arms straining against the fierce South Point wind. When it was built in the late 1980s, the Kamoa Wind Farm had over 30 operating turbines. Some of these massive windmills may still spin but many, rusted and broken down are a bit sad against the landscape. Off the road and closer to the point are Tawhiri Power’s 14 brand new GE turbines, which when completed in early 2007 were expected to bring power to 10,000 Big Island homes.
Location: South Kau
The sand comes in many colors in Ka’u – black, green and white. Punalu’u, the most easily accessible black sand beach on the island is a little gem tucked just off highway 11 near mile marker 55. The thick, coarse grains of volcanic black sand, created by the crashing of waves against lava, encrust the waters of this bay. Graceful coconut palms enclose the beach creating a rich strip of beach irresistible to sunbathers of the human and turtle variety.
During your visit you are likely to see honu, green sea turtles, lounging on the warm sands or floating in the little crevices near the shore. Please do not touch or disturb these protected animals. Sometimes scientists will rope off areas to observe these gentle creatures. The waters here, while fine for hard-shelled swimmers, aren’t ideal. Rip currents are common and even on calm days it can still be treacherous.
The sand comes in many colors in Ka’u – black, green and white. Punalu’u, the most easily accessible black sand beach on the island is a little gem tucked just off highway 11 near mile marker 55. The thick, coarse grains of volcanic black sand, created by the crashing of waves against lava, encrust the waters of this bay. Graceful coconut palms enclose the beach creating a rich strip of beach irresistible to sunbathers of the human and turtle variety.
During your visit you are likely to see honu, green sea turtles, lounging on the warm sands or floating in the little crevices near the shore. Please do not touch or disturb these protected animals. Sometimes scientists will rope off areas to observe these gentle creatures. The waters here, while fine for hard-shelled swimmers, aren’t ideal. Rip currents are common and even on calm days it can still be treacherous.
Location: South Kau
Pali O Ha`uki`uki is often referred to as 'Broken Road'. It is located just north and west of Ka Lae (South Point) in the Ka'u district of the Big Island.
So why do many visitors call it broken road? In the 1950's, the Army Corp of Engineers demolished the Pali (cliff face) to make a road that led down to a ramp for launching boats. It wasn't six months before a Kona storm came and removed everything they had engineered. Today it's a broken road, abruptly ending on the cliff face.
You should not attempt to drive down any portion of this road. Instead, you can park at the beginning of the road, and hike up and over see where it terminates at the ocean. Use caution near the end of the road of course. The twisted pavement and concrete below won't break your fall. The views from here are quite scenic and is one of the few places near Ka Lae where you can escape the wind on a windy day.
Pali O Ha`uki`uki is often referred to as 'Broken Road'. It is located just north and west of Ka Lae (South Point) in the Ka'u district of the Big Island.
So why do many visitors call it broken road? In the 1950's, the Army Corp of Engineers demolished the Pali (cliff face) to make a road that led down to a ramp for launching boats. It wasn't six months before a Kona storm came and removed everything they had engineered. Today it's a broken road, abruptly ending on the cliff face.
You should not attempt to drive down any portion of this road. Instead, you can park at the beginning of the road, and hike up and over see where it terminates at the ocean. Use caution near the end of the road of course. The twisted pavement and concrete below won't break your fall. The views from here are quite scenic and is one of the few places near Ka Lae where you can escape the wind on a windy day.
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