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The 123 list for a Big Island visit
Your Visitor Friendly People & Places

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You are now on kona123.com .....Click "map" for all about the Big Island. ........................................................ Things to do & see.places to sleep, eat and shop.

South Point

Most southern point in the U.S.

        
 
The southernmost point in the US and the site of one of the earliest Hawaiian settlements. It also has one of the longest archaeological records on the islands. It is speculated that this is where the Polynesians first landed because the Big Island is the closest of the Hawaiian Islands to Tahiti, and Ka Lae would be the first landfall. Ruins of a heiau and a fishing shrine can be found here. In addition, ancient Hawaiians drilled numerous holes in the rock ledges to use for mooring their canoes. Tying long ropes to their boats, they would drift out to sea to fish without fear of being carried away by the strong currents. Evidence suggests that people have been in the area since A.D. 124.      
         
 

The turn off to South point road is located between marker 69 and 70 on Hwy 11. It is a single lane road sometimes with lots of traffic. The road goes out to the end of the point which is a mooring place for boats that local fisherman use. The water there is very clear but not safe to swim in due to swift currents.

Continuing east on Hwy. 11, be sure to stop at Punalu`u beach- "Black Sand Beach". Ringed with palm trees, you're sure to see some Hawksbill turtles.

       
 

Punalu'u Beach Park (Black Sand Beach)

Punalu'u Beach Park is located off Hwy 11 on Puna district's south shore, south of the town of Hilo. This quiet beach is a perfect spot for people who want to do nothing but just relax.

Punalu'u is also famous for the Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles who frequent this beach, sunbathing on the warm sand. Come and view these wonderful turtles, but please don't touch them or scare them.

       
 

 

More on Black Sand Beach

       
 
       
 

Green Sand Beach

Papakōlea Beach is located in a bay half circled by Pu`u Mahana, a cinder cone formed over 49,000 years ago and associated with the southwest rift of Mauna Loa. Since its last eruption, the cinder cone has partially collapsed and been partially eroded by the ocean.

 

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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?

        
 

Punalu`u Bake Shop

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Introduced to Hawai’i by Portuguese sugar workers during the 19th century, sweetbread has become a time-honored favorite among residents and visitors alike. Our delicately sweet and moist Hawaiian sweetbread at Punalu’u Bake Shop originated from a traditional family recipe.

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