![\"Space\"](\"https:\/\/activityauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/space-aa.jpg\")
<\/h2>\nGreen Sand Beaches<\/h2>\n
Papakolea Beach<\/strong>\u2014a cove tucked into pastureland on the Big Island<\/a><\/strong>\u2019s southernmost tip\u2014is world-renowned for a reason: it\u2019s one of four beaches on the planet that possesses green sand, sharing the distinction only with Norway, Guam, and the Galapagos Islands.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Located in the Ka\u02bbu District<\/strong>, this bizarre example of one of nature\u2019s niftiest twists is celebrated for sand that, upon close inspection, better resembles crushed, pale emeralds. Its odd green hue is due to the presence of olivine\u2014a magnesium-rich mineral, frequently found in lava, that forms when magma cools. Pu\u02bbu Mahana<\/strong>, a partially collapsed, slowly eroding cinder cone, frames this exquisite spot and feeds the beach\u2019s color through the accumulation of the crystal\u2014which is durable enough to withstand the swells that strip the beach of its usual sand. The hike<\/a> <\/strong>down the cinder cone to see its splendor renders it all the rarer, but act fast (at least in geological terms): the supply of olivine is finite, and with time, the beach will become regular old beige.<\/p>\n Maui<\/a><\/strong>\u2019s fiery history is best represented at Hana<\/strong><\/a>\u2019s Kaihalulu Bay<\/strong>\u2014a stretch of scarlet-inflamed sand within echoing distance of Queen Ka\u2019ahumanu\u2019s birthplace. Literally meaning \u201croaring sea,\u201d the iron-rich beach receives its ruby-orange hue from Ka\u02bbuiki Head, a cinder cone smack dab on the water that, much like Papakolea\u2019s Pu\u02bbu Mahana, is perpetually eroding\u2014a process that casts the beach in inimitable red ash. Framed by gem-green ironwoods and toothpaste-blue water, this bay is nothing if not a study in contrast. Consider it part of Pele\u2019s rebellion during the invasion of the Hawaiian Islands: this \u201cpocket\u201d beach was the site of some of Maui\u2019s fiercest battles.<\/p>\n We don’t suggest visiting this beach because of the treacherous trail. \u00a0Rock slides along the cliffs have killed beachgoers in the past. \u00a0Enjoy the photos and move on.<\/p>\n Molokai might receive most of its acclaim for housing one of the largest leprosy colonies during the late 1800s. And justly so: Father Damien was a modern hero of unparalleled proportions. But Molokai is also home to Papohaku Beach<\/strong> (not to be confused with Maui\u2019s beach of the same name), a ten-and-a-half-acre park on the remote west end of Hawaii\u2019s friendliest isle. While technically cloaked in tan sand, certain times of day turn this bay a blinding, poppy-orange gold. All the better to show off those tan lines: at three miles long and largely deserted, Papohaku is an au naturel sunbather\u2019s Eden.<\/p>\n Given that sand is primarily comprised of weathered coral, quartz, and volcanic ash, it ought to come as no surprise that Hawaii\u2014a bit of an infant in the grander scope of Earth\u2019s history\u2014brims with black sand beaches that reflect its newly-made lava landscapes. Haunting and uncanny, those that are tobacco-shaded are the result of torrents of magma hitting the ocean and bursting into black basalt crystals when the lava cools. And it\u2019s not just the shade of the sand that\u2019s impacted: coarser than its blonde counterparts, black sand is gritty stuff\u2014quite fitting for its oh-so-noir aura.<\/p>\n Maui<\/strong><\/a>\u2019s One\u2019uli Beach<\/strong> (or Naupaka<\/strong>) adds to the mystique. Located at the base of Pu\u02bbu O\u02bbLai<\/strong> in Makena, this onyx cove on the north side of Little Beach has salt ponds, fields of cacti and kiawe, and million-dollar views of the outer islands. Tricky to find is kind of its point, but prepare to traverse some rough terrain before reaching the park on the south end. Plein air painters, take note: the solitude here, coupled with the views, is basically a recipe for a masterpiece. Also on Maui, Wai\u02bbanapanapa State Park has a black sand beach not far from Hana Town called Pa\u02bbiloa Beach<\/strong>. \u00a0Some areas of the beach have finer sand, but most of it is comprised of small rounded pebbles. \u00a0 This is a great spot for exploring coastal caves and learning about the legends of Popo\u02bbalaea.<\/p>\n As the youngest island in the archipelago, the Big Island<\/strong><\/a> boasts some of the darkest-sand beaches in Hawaii. Chief among them is Punalu\u02bbu Beach<\/strong> on the jagged Kau Coast. Tucked into the villages of Pahala and Na\u02bbalehu, this ultra-rocky\u2014and ultra-gorgeous\u2014spot gives sunbathers a treat like no other: shiny black sand created by a\u2019a lava from Hawaii Volcanoes National Park<\/strong><\/a>, groves of coconut palms swaying in the breeze, and frequent sightings of the Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle. Espy signs of erosion? Bask in its resilience: this beloved beach has survived three\u2014yes, three\u2014tsunamis.<\/p>\n Plantation cottages and old-growth banyans border Waimea Beach<\/strong> on Hawaii\u2019s oldest island of Kauai<\/a><\/strong>. Some argue that the sand here is more of a dark brown than black, but its flecks of silver give it an extraordinary feel no matter where you stand on semantics. Adding to that is the red water running down from Waimea Canyon and the vintage-y<\/em> feel of historic Waimea Town. But perhaps nothing tops the beach\u2019s view of Ni\u02bbihau\u2014the seventy-mile Forbidden Island that\u2019s primarily closed to outside visitors. History buffs, listen up: Waimea Beach is where Captain James Cook first landed in Hawaii when he happened upon the chain in 1778.<\/p>\n White sand beaches in Hawaii might be as common as Starbucks in Seattle, but Lanikai deserves a special shout-out for its pristine, alabaster beauty. Located in Kailua on the windward side of Oahu<\/a>, this popular spot lives up to its name of \u201cheavenly sea\u201d (and then some). With a protected lagoon and offshore reefs that keep its waters lullaby-calm, this pretty little haven, lined by high-end homes, looks out onto two tiny islands lovingly referred to as \u201cthe mokes.\u201d Bone-white sand, aquamarine waters, and thriving palms give beachgoers a sense of a d\u00e9j\u00e0 vu for a reason: this is one of the most photographed shores in the world.<\/p>\n For those who prefer their sand blinding white, look no further than Kauna\u02bboa Beach<\/strong> in front of the Westin Mauna Kea Resort on the Kohala Coast<\/a><\/strong> of the Big Island. Crescent-shaped and edged with palms, Kauna\u02bboa appears to be a living, breathing postcard.\u00a0 A rarity for the Big Island<\/a><\/strong>\u2014most beaches have dark sand\u2014Kauna\u02bboa\u2019s immaculate shore stole the heart of Laurance Rockefeller, who, rumor has it, began investing in the land nearby after taking a splash in the bay. Who could blame him? This is quintessential Hawaii, as close to perfection as some of us may ever see on Earth\u2014or even in heaven.<\/p>\n DON’T TAKE THE SAND HOME! \u00a0A little bit in your scalp or bathing suit is fine, but don’t grab a bag of it as a souvenir. \u00a0Bad joo joo. \u00a0Watch the Brady Bunch in Hawaii, and you’ll understand. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Dream of Hawaii and you might immediately think of stretches of golden sand studded with palm trees. While this may be an accurate vision of the islands\u2019 sublime shores, few realize that Hawaii is also home to a rainbow of vibrant-hued beaches. Plan to be dazzled by these surreal spots: Green Sand Beaches Papakolea Beach\u2014a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":249,"featured_media":1900,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[62,1,63,60],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1873","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-big-island","category-hawaii","category-kauai","category-maui"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n![\"green](\"https:\/\/activityauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/green-sand-beach.jpg\")
<\/p>\nRed\u00a0Sand Beaches<\/h2>\n![\"red](\"https:\/\/activityauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/red-sand-beach.jpg\")
<\/h2>\n<\/h2>\nOrange\u00a0Sand Beaches<\/h2>\n
![\"orange](\"https:\/\/activityauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/orange-sand-beach.jpg\")
<\/h2>\n<\/h2>\nBlack\u00a0Sand Beaches<\/h2>\n
![\"black](\"https:\/\/activityauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/black-sand-beach.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/h2>\nWhite Sand Beaches<\/h2>\n
![\"White](\"https:\/\/activityauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/white-sand-beach.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/h2>\nCrucial Hawaii Beach Tip:<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"beaches](\"https:\/\/activityauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/beaches-hawaii.jpg\")
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