Red Sand Beach
Encyclopedia
Red Sand Beach on Kaihalulu Bay is a pocket beach
on the island of Maui
, Hawaii
on Kauiki Head.
just south of Hana
Bay, on the eastern coast of Maui
island.
The bay name comes from kai halulu which means "roaring sea" in the Hawaiian language
.
The hill name comes from ka uiki which means "the glimmer". It was the site of a fortress and temple (heiau
) where several battles were fought against invaders from Hawaii island
.
It was also the birthplace of powerful civil leader Queen Kaahumanu.
Red Sand Beach is partially shielded from the rough open ocean
by an offshore reef
. The result is a natural sea wall that protects the bay from large waves.
Kaihalulu is one of the few red sand beaches in the world. The sand is a deep red-black, which contrasts with the blue water, the black sea wall, and the green ironwood trees. The cindercone behind the beach erodes constantly, which continually enlarges the cove. This hill is rich in iron, and is why the beach's sand is such a deep red.
Kaihalulu is extremely isolated and requires a fairly short, yet perilous hike to reach. The trail
to the beach crosses over private property and follows a ridge
high above the ocean below. The path is rather steep and narrow, and is quite slippery due to the loose and crumbling cinder
as well as needles from nearby ironwood
trees. The trail also passes by an ancient Japanese cemetery
. Because of the beach's isolation and difficult access, some visitors consider it to be clothing optional.
Pocket beach
Pocket beach is usually a small beach, between two headlands. In an idealized setting, there is very little or no exchange of sediment between the pocket beach and the adjacent shorelines....
on the island of Maui
Maui
The island of Maui is the second-largest of the Hawaiian Islands at and is the 17th largest island in the United States. Maui is part of the state of Hawaii and is the largest of Maui County's four islands, bigger than Lānai, Kahoolawe, and Molokai. In 2010, Maui had a population of 144,444,...
, Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
on Kauiki Head.
Location
Kaihalulu bay and Red Sand Beach lie at 20°45′8 "N 155°58′54"W, on the side of Ka'uiki Head, which is a cinder coneCinder cone
According to the , Cinder Cone is the proper name of 1 cinder cone in Canada and 7 cinder cones in the United States:In Canada: Cinder Cone In the United States:...
just south of Hana
Hana
Hana as a given name may have several origins. It is a variant transliteration of Hannah, meaning Grace in Hebrew associated with God feminine which is the Jewish and Christian form, as well as an Arabic female name meaning happiness , a Persian female name meaning a type of flower , and a Kurdish...
Bay, on the eastern coast of Maui
Maui
The island of Maui is the second-largest of the Hawaiian Islands at and is the 17th largest island in the United States. Maui is part of the state of Hawaii and is the largest of Maui County's four islands, bigger than Lānai, Kahoolawe, and Molokai. In 2010, Maui had a population of 144,444,...
island.
The bay name comes from kai halulu which means "roaring sea" in the Hawaiian language
Hawaiian language
The Hawaiian language is a Polynesian language that takes its name from Hawaii, the largest island in the tropical North Pacific archipelago where it developed. Hawaiian, along with English, is an official language of the state of Hawaii...
.
The hill name comes from ka uiki which means "the glimmer". It was the site of a fortress and temple (heiau
Heiau
A heiau is a Hawaiian temple. Many types of heiau existed, including heiau to treat the sick , offer first fruits, offer first catch, start rain, stop rain, increase the population, ensure health of the nation, achieve success in distant voyaging, reach peace, and achieve success in war . Only the...
) where several battles were fought against invaders from Hawaii island
Hawaii (island)
The Island of Hawaii, also called the Big Island or Hawaii Island , is a volcanic island in the North Pacific Ocean...
.
It was also the birthplace of powerful civil leader Queen Kaahumanu.
Red Sand Beach is partially shielded from the rough open ocean
Ocean
An ocean is a major body of saline water, and a principal component of the hydrosphere. Approximately 71% of the Earth's surface is covered by ocean, a continuous body of water that is customarily divided into several principal oceans and smaller seas.More than half of this area is over 3,000...
by an offshore reef
Reef
In nautical terminology, a reef is a rock, sandbar, or other feature lying beneath the surface of the water ....
. The result is a natural sea wall that protects the bay from large waves.
Kaihalulu is one of the few red sand beaches in the world. The sand is a deep red-black, which contrasts with the blue water, the black sea wall, and the green ironwood trees. The cindercone behind the beach erodes constantly, which continually enlarges the cove. This hill is rich in iron, and is why the beach's sand is such a deep red.
Kaihalulu is extremely isolated and requires a fairly short, yet perilous hike to reach. The trail
Trail
A trail is a path with a rough beaten or dirt/stone surface used for travel. Trails may be for use only by walkers and in some places are the main access route to remote settlements...
to the beach crosses over private property and follows a ridge
Ridge
A ridge is a geological feature consisting of a chain of mountains or hills that form a continuous elevated crest for some distance. Ridges are usually termed hills or mountains as well, depending on size. There are several main types of ridges:...
high above the ocean below. The path is rather steep and narrow, and is quite slippery due to the loose and crumbling cinder
Cinder
A cinder is a pyroclastic material. Cinders are extrusive igneous rocks. Cinders are similar to pumice, which has so many cavities and is such low-density that it can float on water...
as well as needles from nearby ironwood
Ironwood
Ironwood is a common name for a large number of woods that have a reputation for hardness. Usage of the name may include the tree that yields this wood...
trees. The trail also passes by an ancient Japanese cemetery
Cemetery
A cemetery is a place in which dead bodies and cremated remains are buried. The term "cemetery" implies that the land is specifically designated as a burying ground. Cemeteries in the Western world are where the final ceremonies of death are observed...
. Because of the beach's isolation and difficult access, some visitors consider it to be clothing optional.