La'aloa Bay

Known as "Magic Sands" beach – on a very calm day

After a storm the sand all washes out, exposing lava rocks

Ruins of an old temple, with scuba diving cove in the background

Laʻaloa Bay is a popular recreation area in Kailua-Kona, on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi.

Also known as "Magic Sands" or "White Sands Beach", the official name is "Laʻaloa Beach County Park". During calm weather, it is one of the only fine white sandy beaches in the Kailua-Kona area.^[1] It is also sometimes called "Disappearing Sands", since the sand is washed out in a storm several times a year. A strong surf break on the shore can be dangerous, but makes it a favorite for bodyboarding by experienced locals, even under moderate surf conditions. Just north of the beach is Pahoehoe Beach County Park, although the shoreline here is rocky lava with a few coral pebbles, there are picnic tables, restrooms, and running water.^[1]

In the Hawaiian language, la'a loa means "very sacred".^[2] Several Archaeological sites are in the area.^[3] The ruins of haukalua Heiau (an Ancient Hawaiian temple) are on a point just south of the beach, at the parking lot which was added in 2000.^[4] The stone structure was cleared and restored, and a small ceremonial platform (lele) constructed by descendants of the people who lived in this area for hundreds of years.^[5] A small rocky cove south of the point is popular for scuba diving in calm conditions.

It is located on Aliʻi Drive in the Kona District at coordinates 19°35′38″N 155°58′17″W / 19.59389°N 155.97139°W / 19.59389; -155.97139Coordinates: 19°35′38″N 155°58′17″W / 19.59389°N 155.97139°W / 19.59389; -155.97139. About a mile to the north is Holualoa Bay, and a mile to the south is Kahaluʻu Bay.

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Shoreline access map at Hawaiʻi County web site
2. ^ lookup of "Laʻaloa" on Hawaiian place names web site
3. ^ Laʻaloa Burial Treatment Plan, 2006, on county web site
4. ^ Environmental Impact Statement for Laʻaloa Bay Beach Park on Hawaii state web site, County of Hawaiʻi, 1997
5. ^ Minutes of Hawaiʻi Island Burial Council December 15, 2005 on state web site