Papakolea Beach

Papakolea Beach is a very rare green sand beach (which provides its alternative name of the Green Sand Beach). The green tint of the sand is due to the olivine crystals that were produced by a volcanic eruption then ground up by the churning ocean waves and re-deposited on the beach. The green crystals remind me of the color of the old Coke bottles that I grew up with. Visitors will recognize them from their use in jewelry sold in tourist traps.

The beach is located near Ka Lae (South Point) but requires a 4WD or a healthy hike to reach the overlook. The climb from the top to the beach is also quite challenging.