Travel to Kalapana Black Sand Beach

In 1990, Mount Kilauea's lava flow swept through the Kalapana neighborhood of Puna, destroying much of the town despite desperate attempts to divert it. Fortunately, no lives were lost. Much of the beach was engulfed in addition to homes and businesses, and today the area's main attraction is not the dark sandy shores of yesteryear but instead the still-moving lava flow. Visitors to the Kalapana Lava Viewing Area must be cautious and prudent, as the nearby land is unstable.