Green Sand Beach - Papakolea

Known as Green Sand Beach or even Pu'u o Mahana, Papakolea Beach, is well deserving of its name. The olive-like color of the sand comes from the presence of a greenish, semi-precious stone named, appropriately enough, olivine. The erosive force of the ocean washing into the base of Pu'u o Mahana cinder cone has extracted olivines out of the cinder. These are deposited on the sand, giving the sand a green tint.

This secluded, and we do mean secluded, sand beach is located near Ka Lae (South Point) in the Ka'u district of Hawaii. The hike is a rugged 2-mile dusty labyrinth of ruts that eventually lead to the beach. Getting down to the beach is an entirely different issue. Shaped like a giant bowl, you have to climb down the side of the "bowl" to reach the beach. Braving the rugged road down, you might be tempted to ask yourself if it's really worth the trip. It's not easy to get to, but where else can you see a Green Sand beach?

Do not swim here as the waters are very turbulent.

To drive to the Green Sands Beach you need to get a permit from the DHHL (Department of Hawaiian Homelands) for $25. They will also provide you with a key in the event the gate (near the boat ramp at the start of the road) is locked. When you return the key, you'll receive your deposit back. We should note however that you can only drive there with someone local since all the rental agencies companies forbid any off-pavement driving.

You do not need a permit to hike there but you are supposed to call DHHL to let them know you will be going there. They just like to be informed of who is on their property and the hike is absolutely free. You can contact DHHL at:

DHHL
160 Baker Ave.
Hilo 96720
Phone: 808-974-4250

We should also note that anyone trying to charge you for parking is running a scam. Rather than get confrontational, just leave if anyone's attempting to charge for parking.

Location: Green Sand Beach - Papakolea is located in the South Kau Region

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Response by: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 10/15/2008 at 09:52 PM

We called today to find out whether or not we could take a 4wd in, and found that there is NO vehicle access whatsoever to the beach. Hiking takes about 1.5 hours, on a clearly marked trail.

Response by: J.C.Derrick (Hawaii-Guide Staff) on 10/15/2008 at 10:51 PM

The "marked trail" is actually multiple dirt roads that crisscross the entire route to the beach. Keep to the shore and you'll have the quickest route in most cases. It is possible to take a 4wd vehicle out to the beach, but unless you're a local resident, you'll be violating your rental agreement if you take your rental out there. We've seen several folks actually stop and walk the majority of the hike because of the horrible "road" conditions. The trails are full of large ruts and are a disaster waiting to happen with rentals. The hike is hot and dry (not to mention dusty), but if done early in the day it's not bad at all. The beach is certainly worth the trip - at least once. Best of luck.

Response by: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 02/18/2009 at 01:35 PM

Hello - Is it 1.5 hours each way, or round trip to the parking area? Also, is it a nice hike, in regard to ocean views, or not much to see?

Thanks, Eric

Response by: J.C.Derrick (Hawaii-Guide Staff) on 02/18/2009 at 01:46 PM

Aloha Eric. I'd estimate the hike is 30 min to an hour one way, it'll depend on how fast you hike. We usually go pretty quickly, but for most folks I'd say it's about a 45 minute trek out. If you took your time, possibly over an hour. The trail isn't especially scenic (see the photos I've posted above), but does have nice views of the ocean. Expect to get dust on - well, everything. You'll get a dust tan - but also be sure to wear sun screen, the sun can be brutal out there.

Response by: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 09/17/2009 at 04:11 AM

We're planning a trip to the Big Island next month and we're finding a lot of conflicting information out there regarding the distance to Green Sand Beach. I've seen 2, 4 and 6 miles all referenced. I can only assume there are different ways of accessing the beach which would make the hike distance longer or shorter? Your quote of 2 miles is the shortest and therefore most desirable for our family. Can you specify where it is that we park our car and begin our hike? Mahalo.

Response by: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 09/17/2009 at 07:09 AM

There are actually two different parking areas. One is right in front of you at the end of the road, where the fisherman park their cars. You will see a portable bathroom or two there. This parking area is about 3 miles each way from the beach. It took us about 90 minutes to hike to the beach from this lot. About 30 minutes into the hike, on your left, we noticed a second parking lot. Parking here will shave a mile off your hike. To get to it, you are going to make a left from the main road, 1/4 mile before the "fisherman" lot.

I read numerious accounts of "no cars allowed," and yes, it is a very difficult ride and there are signs everywhere that say no driving. However, with that said, there were about a half dozen vechicles parked right at the top of the green sand beach when we got there.

If you are doing the hike, this is trip will consume your entire day, including getting to and from the parking areas, depending on where you are comming from. Also, try to speand some time at the beach, it is great. You will want to hang out there just as you do any other beach, for two or three hours at least. And the swimming is great, just dont go too far out. Bring lots of water and towels to lay out on.

Response by: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 12/06/2009 at 11:43 PM

My family and I just hiked out to the green sand beach with our two boys (almost 5 and newly 6). The trail was visually uninteresting to the boys, but they walked all but the last 15 minutes when my husband and I carried them on our backs. Once there we were able to get a ride back from a local who had no fixed price but accepted donations. At the time of our visit (2 Dec 2009) there were two locals offering rides if you were lucky enough to catch them. After riding back out in his Jeep, unless you are skilled in outback driving, I would plan on hiking in. The roads are extremely rough to drive. It took our family (going slow, with the two boys) 1 1/2 hours to walk to the beach from the parking area. Absolutely worth the hike! The color wasn't as striking as I had anticipated, but the bay itself was amazing! We stayed for about an hour. The current was very strong, hold on to little ones hands!

Response by: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 01/09/2010 at 11:24 AM

I was there last year with my sister. We rented a Jeep, but when we saw just the first sharp lava impediment on the trail, we parked it and hiked in (another day a fast driving jeep got a flat, punctured on the side of the tire-slow!!). It was a long, windy and dusty hike, but well worth it because the beach is so beautiful. We did swim there. Even though the beach looks totally sandy,be sure to wear your reef shoes when swimming to avoid a few small lava rocks. A turtle (honu) popped up right next to me!
The second and third time we drove the jeep all the way. There is a web of trails and the best advice while driving is to take the high road (walking- take the low road).
We didnt know about any permits or gates.

Response by: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 06/19/2010 at 05:36 AM

good perfect post thanks

Response by: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 06/30/2010 at 02:49 AM

It is a must see if you come to the Big Island. My Wife and I really enjoyed this hike and the beach is perfect. It is the best beach I have seen. Tops Jamaica and Mexico and don't forget to bring swimming trunks, shoes, and towels. Happy 4 Year Anniversary Fujica.

Response by: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 08/03/2010 at 03:38 AM

My science teacher told us that there was green sand beaches, because of the rock/minerals on the beach is green. He said it was the rock olivine that made the sand green.
.

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