Also known as Green Sand Beach, Mahana Beach and, erroneously, PuÊ»u Mahana is a green sand beach located at South Point, in the KaÊ»u district of the island of HawaiÊ»i. One of only two green sand beaches in the world, the other being in Guam, the beach gets distinctive coloring from olivine crystals found in a nearby cinder cone. 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 howling winds scour the point. Nevertheless, each year the unusual green sands attract thousands of oglers, who follow a well-worn four-wheel-drive-only road for 21⁄2 miles to the top of a cliff, which you have to climb down to reach the beach. The sand is crushed olivine, a green semiprecious mineral found in eruptive rocks and meteorites. If the surf ’s up, check out the beach from the cliff ’s edge; if the water’s calm, it’s generally safe to swim. To get to Green Sand Beach from the boat ramp at South ...
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