Kaimu Beach

[bgl]

One of my favorite places here is Kaimu Beach, at Kalapana, or rather what used to be Kaimu Beach. And it's only a 15 minute drive away. Up until summer of 1990, Kaimu Blacksand Beach was a well known and very popular beach on the southeast coast of the Big Island. Then came the lava flow that destroyed some 185 homes in the village of Kalapana. And the lava flow filled up the entire bay, out to about half a mile beyond the old coastline. The local Hawaiian family in Kalapana has now planted several hundred Cocos nucifera on this new lavafield and they have also built a rough red cinder road from the parking lot out to the ocean. They recently put up this sign.

[bgl]

After walking all the way out to the ocean, which is an easy ten minute walk, you can make a right, and then continue along the coastline for about 300 yards or so, and there's a brand new blacksand beach. OK, it may be 6-7 years old or so, but that's technically brand new in geological terms! When I was there this afternoon it was only about an hour after high tide, so the beach wasn't accessible but at low tide it's pretty spectacular. It was still spectacular this afternoon, with large waves crashing onto the shore every ten seconds or so.

[bgl]

And looking in the opposite direction, and straight down the 35-40 ft tall cliffs, this is the view.

[Kris]

Beautiful !

[bgl]

As I continue in the same direction, the scenery is wild and untamed, as can be expected from land that didn't exist 20 years ago. I would have been half a mile out in the ocean right here 20 years ago! And interesting rock formations. Some of these can be very unstable, and it would not be a good idea to step out onto this rock for instance. It may remain there for the next few years, or the erosion from the nonstop waves may cause it to slide into the ocean any minute. You just never know.

[bgl]

Like I said, nature here is wild and spectacular!

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As I'm heading back, I head inland about 100 yards or so to avoid the nonstop salt spray. This is looking east. If you want solitude, this is the place to be!

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And this is looking west from the same spot. Not exactly crowded!

[bgl]

And paying attention to where you walk always a good idea out here on the lava flows. Lots of cracks all over the place.

[Dypsisdean]

Bo,

Thanks for the terrific shots. You've done a good job of capturing the raw beauty that is out there. But it is impossible to relay the emotions one experiences while walking on such new pristine land, where it feels like you're alone on the edge of the earth.

[Wanderanwills]

Hi Bo,

Great photos, can't wait to see that in real life. Thanks for posting.

Regards

Stephen

[OldNed]

Whoa!..Agree with Dean....

"...impossible to relay the emotions one experiences while walking on such new pristine land, where it feels like you're alone on the very edge of earth".

After we left Bo's Amazing Palm Gardens, we followed his directions to Kaimu Beach.

Bo said "Parts of the road to Kaimu are one-lane...that's not one lane each direction, it's one-lane"...yep, sure was.

A couple of pix of Kaimu Beach:

Bo told us that local Hawai'ian folks have been planting Coconut Palms in the lava....

Those of you who are going on the Moku Lani Aloha Palm Tour in May are in for constant Big Island sensory overload.

[Walter John]

Wow...that's nice...

[Xenon]

Amazing

Jonathan

[www.dadluvsu.com]

Great pics Bo!

[Kim]

Very powerful photos of a unique place, thanks Bo!

[bgl]

Everybody, thanks for your comments (Ned, thanks for the additional photos!). And Dean, "alone on the edge of the earth" is an excellent way of describing that very unique feeling you get when you walk across the lava. Should mention that after getting back to the parking lot, it's always nice to get something to eat and drink from the Kalapana Village Cafe, which is right there, and enjoy the moment and the Hawaiian music from the little bar around the corner! Come to think of it, I should drive down there more often!

[DoomsDave]

I should live there more often . . . .