Honokalani Black Sand Beach, Black sand beach in Wai'anapanapa State Park, Hawaii, US.
The beach stretches along the Maui coastline with dark volcanic sand created from basalt rock, bordered by green vegetation and blue ocean waters.
The formation of Honokalani Beach occurred through continuous volcanic activity when molten lava from Haleakala met the ocean and cooled into black basalt fragments.
Native Hawaiian traditions connect this beach to legends about Princess Popo'ala'ea, whose death transformed the nearby freshwater caves into red-tinted waters.
The beach requires advance reservations through the state park system, with specific time slots available between 7:00 AM and 6:00 PM daily.
The volcanic composition of the sand creates a magnetic effect, allowing visitors to conduct experiments with magnets on the beach surface.
Location: Wai'anapanapa State Park
GPS coordinates: 20.78876,-156.00358
Latest update: March 3, 2025 00:31
The Hawaiian Islands offer beaches with white, black, and red sand, formed through volcanic activity and coral erosion. Coastal areas display tide pools, sea caves, and lava formations. Inland, hiking trails lead through rainforest valleys to waterfalls and historic Heiau temples, which served as ceremonial sites for the Polynesian inhabitants. The volcanic geology has created lava tubes, craters, and calderas that are now accessible to visitors. Botanical gardens preserve native plant species, while archaeological sites like ancient settlements and petroglyph fields provide insights into pre-European history. The islands also feature limestone caves with marine fossils and reefs suitable for snorkeling.
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