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golfntennis
golfntennis
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Editor Pick

Green Sand Beach (Papakolea Beach)

  • May 18, 2008
  • Rated 5 of 5 by golden101 from Honokaa, Hawaii
This famous green sand beach is located at the base of Puu o Mahana, an old cinder cone spilling into the sea. It is about 2 1/2 miles from the South Point lookout. The place has its problems: it's difficult to reach; the open bay is often rough; there are no facilities, fresh water, or shade from the relentless sun and high winds. Nevertheless, each year the unusual emerald-green sands attract thousands of visitors who follow a well-worn four wheel drive only road for 2 1/2 miles to the top of a cliff, which you have to climb down to reach the beach. The south end offers the safest point of access. The green sand is actually crushed olivine, a green semiprecious mineral found in eruptive rocks and meteorites. If the surf's up, just check out the beach from the cliff's edge (this area is known to have strong currents). If the water's calm, it's generally safe to swim in the shallow but I wouldn't recommend swimming at this beach at all. South Point is known to have strong currents and there are no lifeguards in this remote area of the island. Bring good shoes (close-toed footwear such as tennis shoes or hiking boots) if you plan to hike to Green Sand Beach because you have to walk through a lot of lava rocks which are very sharp. Also bring water since it can get very hot and windy at South Point.

To get to Green Sand Beach from the boat ramp at South Point, follow the 2 1/2 mile four wheel drive trail, even if you have a four wheel drive vehicle, you may want to walk, as the trail is very, very bad in parts with large holes and sharp lava rocks. The trail is relatively flat, but you're usually walking into the wind as you had toward the beach. The beginning of the trail is lava. After the first 10 to 15 minutes, the lava disappears and the trail begins to cross pasture land. Then, after about 30 to 40 minutes, you'll see an eroded cinder cone by the water; continue to the edge, and there lie the green sands below.

The best way to reach the beach is to go over the edge from the cinder cone (it looks as though walking around the south side of the cone would be easier, but it's not.) From the cinder cone, go over the overhang of the rock, and you'll see a trail. Getting down to the beach is very difficult as you'll be able to see from the top. You'll have to make it over and around big lava boulders, dropping down 4 to 5 feet from boulder to boulder in certain spots. And don't forget that you'll have to climb back up again. Look before you start; if you have any hesitation, don't go down (you get a pretty good view from the top anyway.) When you get to the beach, watch the waves for about 15 minutes and make sure that they don't break over the entire beach. If you walk on the beach, always keep one eye on the ocean and stick close to the rock wall. There can be strong rip currents here, and it's imperative to avoid them. Allow a minimum of 2 to 3 hours for this entire hike. I would very highly recommend this hike to Green Sand Beach if you are in good physical condition. I wouldn't recommend this hike for families with very young children.

From journal Beaches on the Big Island of Hawaii

Hawaiian Waters

  • September 17, 2007
  • Rated 3 of 5 by Sail Army from Kapolei, Hawaii
Hawaiian Waters

The miniature golf on Oahu is more expensive than playing 18 holes on one of the 6 city courses (for real, it costs $12 to play 18 on a city course). Family fun is expensive.

Now, that being said, as far as mini golf courses on the island go...I'd have to rate this one at the top. It is fresh and new and in a nice setting. There is any of the old windmill holes. Instead...the entire course is set with a beach motif. There are surf boards, tropical fish, streams and waterfalls, tiki statues, and an old VW bug strewn throughout the 18 holes.

My favorite hole, is to your advantage to deliberately hit your ball into the water and let it float down to be deposited just inches from the cup. Our kids loved it. Take a drive out to Kapolei.

For more information on the park go to www.islandadventuregolf.com or www.hawaiianwaters.com. 
 

 

From journal Island Adventure Mini Golf

Halape

  • April 1, 2007
  • Rated 3 of 5 by golden101 from Honokaa, Hawaii
Halape

Geee...It would be hard for me to describe this place because it is one of those places where you have to actually be there to know what it's like. This is absolutely one of the nicest beaches on the island...the only problem is that you have to hike about 9 miles down to this beach from the Hilina Pali Lookout. This beach is so beautiful that words really can't describe it.


The hike down to this beach is absolutely gorgeous but very, very, very hot! After descending down a 2,000 ft. cliff, you have to hike over black pahoehoe lava which just heats you up during the day! The hike is well worth it if you enjoy backpacking. It is a good idea to start hiking early at about 6am during the summer when it is usually nice and cool. The ground really starts to heat up during midday and you can get dehydrated very easily. You should pack a lot of water because you will probably sweat out all of your bodily fluid while hiking over the black lava. Once you reach Halape it is like an oasis with cool ocean breezes, coconut trees, and a nice fresh spring. I don't want to advertise this beach too much because it is one of my special places here on the Big Island.

From journal Beaches on the Big Island of Hawaii

Waialea Beach (Beach 69)

  • September 24, 2006
  • Rated 5 of 5 by golden101 from Honokaa, Hawaii
Waialea Beach (Beach 69)

This beach is located along the paved road near the 69 pole marker that runs from Hapuna Beach to Puako town. It is located in Waialea Bay. You can access this beach by turning into the Hapuna Beach turn off. Once you approach the parking lot, go straight ahead instead of turning right into the parking lot. You will pass the Hapuna Cabin Campground entrance and the Hapuna Beach Parking lot will be on your right. Keep driving along the winding road (about 1/2 mile)until you see a paved road (near the 69 pole marker)that turns to a parking lot on your right (you will see the parking lot). This beach recently got a makeover with a new parking lot and bathroom facility with showers. We often go to this beach because it is not as crowded as Hapuna Beach. In addition, there are more ironwood trees and foliage that grow right on the beach that provides a lot of shade. A nice ocean breeze always cools down this beautiful beach. There are a lot of spaces between the trees to set up your towels and hang out.

We usually swim about 1/4 mile down the beach toward our favorite camping spot. The water is ideal for swimming and snorkeling because it looks like a big glassy pool during low tide. Since Waialea Bay is a marine protected are, you will be able to see all kinds of fish such as uhu (parrotfish), hinalea, manini, hawkfish, goatfish, etc. There are also numerous turtles that frequent this area too. If you feel adventurous, you can hike and dive off the small cliffs that surround this area. There is even a trail marker that marks the Ala Kahakai beach trail (an ancient Hawaiian beach trail) that winds through this area. Since there are no large waves, this is not a good beach for body surfing or body boarding. It is ideal for kayaking and snorkeling. I wouldn't recommend fishing because this is a protected bay and commercial fishing and netting is not allowed. You should bring your own snacks and beverages because there are no concessions at this beach.

From journal Beaches on the Big Island of Hawaii

Many Beautiful Beaches

  • January 25, 2005
  • Rated 5 of 5 by Jingo from Los Angeles (Woodland Hills), California
Many Beautiful Beaches

Some beaches, like Kekaha Kai (and beyond), are reachable only by a horrible dirt road. Others are not really beaches at all, like Kapa'a Beach Park, or Puako Beach, away from the hotels. But they are still nice and different. We discovered that snorkeling can be great wherever (Puako, Kapa'a--manta ray sighting!); of course, coral and rock have to be present.

Kekaha Kai (and the other beach close by it) is a gorgeous, nearly empty sand beach. On the Hilo side, we were just at Kolekole Beach Park, where you cannot swim or sunbathe, but you can watch the crazy surfers and sit at tables or on the grass. I just saw on TV that Kolekole at that spot had been devastated by a tsunami many years ago.

From journal One Week Around The Big Island

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