Since the big island is, geologically speaking, brand new and still in the process of forming, one of the results of that are incredibly unique beaches - black, white/golden, salt/pepper and green sand beaches dot the island. Click on any picture to see a larger, higher resolution image.
It's true - the sand really is green on the beach here (lower left) - see the next image for a closer look. This is the "Green Sand" beach, and is located a short distance from the southernmost tip of the island.
To give you better perspective on the color, I photographed the sand along with a black rock. The unusual green coloration comes from olivine, a green volcanic stone that the ocean "mines" from a nearby deposit. This is one of several green sand beaches on the island, which are found nowhere else in the world.
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Lots of subtle shades of pink, purple & gold here..... this is a sunset shot of Anaehoomalu Beach, a long, curving salt & pepper beach located on the northwestern side of the island. It is a popular place for sunset photographers - graceful coconut palms line the westward facing beach, and tranquil fish ponds lie directly behind the beach. As I did above, you can get the sunset silhouetted through the coconut palms while reflecting off the fish ponds for added effect.
Hapuna Beach is a classically perfect golden sand beach located near Anaehoomalu Beach. This beach has often been voted the top beach in the nation by Conde Nast Traveler and other well known travel magazines.
Waipo Valley, on the northeastern side of the island, has a black sand beach that you can see below. This is an absolutely gorgeous area of the island that I, alas, did not have time to properly explore and photograph - we'll do it next time! See below for a better look up the valley.
A view up Waipo valley - conditions weren't the greatest that day, and this area is definitely on my photographic to do list when I return to the big island.
To round out my beach shots, here is the beach at the Natural Energy Lab in Kona right beside the airport. This is another one of the "salt & pepper" beaches on the island.