Naalehu

Plenty of small towns in Hawaii have a claim to fame, but Naalehu's is the only one in the entire country. It is America's southernmost town. Naalehu, Hawaii is a charming small town on the Big Island. Aside from its endless panoramic vistas and incredible black and green sand beaches, this town is also America's southernmost. Naalehu is a small town with a population of just over 1,000 people. The town is well-known for its art scene, which includes art galleries, unique shops, a bakery, restaurants, an old theater, and a museum. Apart from the distinction of being America's southernmost town, the beaches are the most well-known feature of Naalehu.

"Naalehu" translates to "volcanic beaches," and the ones you can visit while in town are spectacular. Because of the constant volcanic activity, the island of Hawaii has both white and black sands. Mahana Beach, with its green sand, is a must-see on Big Island. The green tint in the sand is caused by green glassy crystals, which make up the majority of the sand on this beach. On the islands, olivine is known as "Hawaiian Diamond." It is denser and more durable than ash fragments. The main attraction of the area is the green sand beach Mahana Beach (officially named Papaklea Beach). Visitors come from all over the islands and the world to see this rare and beautiful beach formed by Hawaiian volcanic activity. These stunning green crystals were formed by the eruption of the Mauna Loa volcano approximately 49,000 years ago. If you're looking for more than just breathtaking scenery, Naalehu also has the Kau Forest Reserve.