Check out Kaimu area of the Big Island. The is the area that is constantly threatened by lava flow. It has black sand beaches, lava rock cliffs high above the ocean and a beautiful nearly brand new black sand beach.
I'll bet you didn't know there was a beach that is younger than you are. Kaimu beach was formed in 1990, so maybe not older than a lot of you. Lava flows in 1990 flowed into the sea and dried into black lava rock. The ocean breaks these up easily and since then the broken up lava rock has formed this black sand beach. It's really mesmerizing. Don't forget your flip flops though, cause boy does this stuff get hot. It can be up to 140 empirical degrees!
*Kaimu Black Sand Beach
More Kaimu Beach
It's a beautiful drive just a few miles up the road to where the lava flows came into contact with a neighborhood. It's sad to here the stories of those that lost everything. But, also interesting to see the people who own the land come back and build shed's and tiny homes on land that is now nearly 10 ft. higher from where they originally built. Most the street signs were completely engulfed but occasionally you can see just the top of a stop sign sticking out from what is now solid rock. Kilauea volcano did a number on this place.
One of the small shacks the owner has rebuilt on what was his property
This area used to be a bay with a beach
*Kalapana and Kaimū used to be towns, but now they are nearly completely covered with lava rock from the 1990 flow.
The lava flow covered everything and filled in the valleys to create a very large flat space. It's really like being on another planet here. The bay that used to be here is now under 50 ft of lava rock.
The never ending cycle of life and death are very evident here as you see everything that was destroyed, but just a little way from here you see all the new palm trees, green grasses and ferns that are growing new again.
Ferns growing back in the lava rocks
Newly planted coconut trees
The locals are constantly bringing coconuts to plant to replenish what was lost. If you visit be sure and get one so you can plant your own coconut tree. The locals are always enlisting help from tourists to get more trees planted.
Beautiful drive from the lava fields to the black sand beach
This map was at the park and shows where the lava flows were
It's not all sandy beaches, there are also lava rock cliffs 20 ft above the sea
I hope you enjoyed this post on our day at Kaimu. If so, feel free to upvote and resteem as well as checking out our other two posts on Hawaii.
South Point - Cliff diving
Green Sand Beach
