The posted coordinates will take you to La'aloa Beach State Park, also known as "Magic Sands", "Disappearing Sands" and "White Sands" Beach. There is parking nearby.
During times of high surf (usually in the winter months) an interesting phenomenon occurs here. The shore break erodes the small pocket of white sand beach very quickly, often within 24 hours, washing away all the sand and leaving only exposed lava rock. This phenomenon is why this beach is also called Disappearing Sands, because it literally vanishes. When the wave action ceases, the regular ocean currents slowly move the sand back. However, this can take a few months. (Depending on whether it's an El Nino or La Nina year, this can sometimes be delayed or not happen at all.) The Big Island is known for beaches with colours other than white, which makes a small white sand beach like this one special! Most of the beaches on the Big Island are volcanic (detrital) black sand beaches, but this one is a white or off-white (calcareous) beach. The periodic flushing of the sand by the ocean currents keeps it whiter than normal. On the shore are a few coconut palms and lava rocks frame both ends of the beach. Sources: liveinhawaii.com/laaloa-state-beach/ www.to-hawaii.com/big-island/beaches/whitesandsbeach.php https en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La%27aloa_Bay
In order to claim this earthcache email or message me the answers to the following questions and then go ahead and claim a find. I will contact you if there is a problem with any of your answers. You may post a picture of the beach in your log, but please don't post pictures that show your handful of sand. Mahalo.
1. READ THE DESCRIPTION to help you answer the question. Depending on the time of year of your visit, was the amount of sand on the beach what you expected it to be? Take into account whether it is a low or high tide. If not, can you explain why this might be so? Feel free to post a picture of the beach at the time of your visit.
2. READ THE DESCRIPTION to help you answer the question. This beach is also called "White Sands" beach. Why is the sand here so much whiter than other few white sand beaches on the Big Island?
3. Pick up a handful of sand. Even though this beach is considered a white sand beach, do you see other colours of sand? What other colours do you see?
PLEASE SEND ANSWERS TO THE CO AT THE TIME YOU LOG THE EARTHCACHE, otherwise your log may be deleted! Make sure you visit the ruins of "Haukalua Heiau" (an ancient Hawaiian temple) just south of the beach, near Ali'i Drive. Please show the ruins the respect they deserve. Mahalo