Kaimu Beach at Kalapana

One of the most famous black sand beaches in the world was found in the area called Kalapana in the district of Puna on the Big Island. “Was” is the operative word here as this beach was completely covered by lava in 1990. Today, what was once a spectacular black sand beach lying before the small Hawaiian village of Kalapana is now covered by a lava flow perhaps sixty feet deep. The photo above shows the lava flow that now covers the once beautiful Kaimu Beach in Kalapana.

The “New” Kaimu Beach in Kalapana
Not to fear though, a new Kaimu Beach is being formed at Kalapana. This mere shadow of its former namesake can be visited near the spot where the lava covered the road leading to Kalapana. You will come to a dead end in the road, be able to park, get out, and walk for ten minutes over a lava flow to the new Kaimu Beach. This beach is not large, extending probably only seventy-five yards or so, but you will see lots of black sand and have an opportunity to walk on it. Keep in mind that this is a beach that is completely surrounded by lava and serves the purpose of being more of an example of how beaches are made on the Big Island rather than being a beach that you might actually enjoy actually laying-out on. The ocean here in fact is actually quite dangerous and not a place you should consider getting into at all. This is a great spot to visit however to get a sense of the great power of the goddess of volcanoes, Pele.

Ocean Caution
Don’t go in the water here!