Punalu’u
This is a black sand beach near the Sea Mountain Resort on the biggest of the Hawaiian Islands called Hawai’i or Big Island by the locals. This beach is one of thee few beaches with actual black sand. It was created by a volcanic eruption by Mauna Loa, the name means Big Long Mountain in the Hawaiian language, and it literally is the biggest volcano in the world.
The lava flowed down the slopes of this huge, active volcano to the sea, destroying everything in its path. But over the years the molten lava has been reshaped by the wind, the rain and the pounding waves of the ocean, into this beautiful beach. I visit there ever so often, and it still instills me with a sense of awe at the power and size of volcanic eruptions, and the amazing power of Mother Nature to create beauty where once there was only destruction.
This beach has risen, like a literal Phoenix out of the fire and destruction of the volcano, and become something beautiful to behold and full of life.
Enjoy.
This is a panarama looking from the southwest to the northeast. The palm trees border a 20-30 foot stretch of black sand. It’s then bordered by lava.
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Here you can see the calm beauty of black sand and the ocean.
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Here you can still see and imagine the flowing lava liquid rock, that cooled showing the smooth surface of hot liquid rock. It’s amazing.
Here the smooth lava flows have broken up into large chunks of lava rock.
And in the distance you see the peaks of Mauna Loa, the Long Mountain,.
We see the peaks and say there it is, but in reality we are like fleas on the back of a dog, looking up at the head and saying there’s the dog. We are on the slopes of Mauna Loa, we are on the back of the mountain, looking up at the head, and calling out it’s name.
Aloha and Mahalo Nui Loa
