Honokalani Black Sand Beach

Honokalani is a black sand beach on Maui's coast formed from cooled lava, curving along rocky cliffs above a deep blue ocean. The dark sand is fine and consistent, backed by volcanic rock formations and low coastal vegetation that frames the shoreline.

The beach formed thousands of years ago when lava flows from Haleakala volcano met the ocean and hardened into dark fragments. This volcanic past continues to shape the beach's appearance and its distinctive dark coloring today.

This beach holds meaning in Hawaiian tradition as a place where old stories of loss are woven into the land itself. Visitors can see this connection in the red-tinted freshwater caves nearby, which keep these narratives alive through their distinctive appearance.

This beach is part of a protected state park and requires advance reservations to manage visitor numbers. It's wise to arrive early and wear comfortable shoes, as the dark sand becomes very hot under the sun.

The black sand contains magnetic basalt that responds to magnets, offering visitors an unexpected hands-on discovery. This volcanic material tells its own story through its physical properties.

Location: Wai'anapanapa State Park

GPS coordinates: 20.78876,-156.00358

Latest update: December 6, 2025 19:06