Visit Honokalani Black Sand Beach In Hawaii, A Hidden Gem Beach That Has Its Very Own Lava Tube
By Celina Colby|Published January 26, 2023
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Celina Colby
Author
Celina Colby is a Boston-based writer and native New Englander who has been covering travel, arts, food, and culture nationally for ten years. When she's not on deadline you can often find her reading, sewing, and searching for the perfect empanada.
The hardest part about planning a trip to Hawaii is deciding which of the endless natural wonders to include in your itinerary. Honokalani Black Sand Beach is one attraction you don’t want to miss. In addition to the unique black sand on the beach, you’ll find many more interesting attractions to explore.
Located at Waianapanapa State Park in Maui, this is one of the island's best-known spots for black sand. Don't worry about this location being overhyped, it is absolutely worth the tourist enthusiasm and a visit.
Black sand beaches come from eroded volcanic materials (think lava, basalt rocks, etc.). Over time these materials have been worn down by the ebb and flow of the ocean to create a sand texture.
Waianapanapa State Park isn't just the beach; it's a 122-acre nature reserve that includes the beach, lava caves, foliage, stone arches, a temple, and volcanic blow holes. There's a lot more to see than just the black sand itself.
Perhaps most fascinating of these attractions are the lava tubes, where visitors can walk through caves carved by volcanic lava. These natural anomalies occur when hot lava touches cold air. The exterior of the lava hardens when exposed to cool temperatures, while the interior lava continues flowing.
The spectacular views in Hawaii are stunning and transportive. Where else in the world can you bask on a black sand beach and then stroll through a lava tube?
At Waianapanapa State Park, you can experience several of Hawaii’s wonders in one stop. Sunbathe on the black sand beach, explore the lava tubes, and walk through the lush landscape to find the sacred temple hidden within.
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