Punaluʻu Project
Punaluʻu Background
Located on the southeastern coast of Hawaiʻi’s Big Island, Punaluʻu is one of the most culturally and ecologically significant places in the islands. Its iconic black sand beach, formed when lava from Mauna Loa flowed into the ocean and rapidly cooled, sits at the intersection of geologic wonder and ancestral legacy.
For over 2,000 years, Native Hawaiian communities have sustained lifeways in Punaluʻu through fishing, farming, ceremony, and freshwater gathering. The area is home to sacred sites like heiau (temples), loʻi (taro terraces), petroglyphs, and ancestral trails that once linked coastal communities and places of ritual.
It also functions as a vital habitat for native and endangered species, with coastal vegetation, freshwater ponds, and nearshore environments supporting a rich diversity of marine and bird life. Its preservation ensures the protection of both natural ecosystems and cultural heritage, sustaining a living legacy of biodiversity, ancestral knowledge, and the enduring connection between people, species, and place.
Video courtesy of @Seated_Perspectives, Eric Fandrick ©2025.
Habitat for Endangered
and Native Species
Punaluʻu provides an essential habitat for endangered green sea turtles (honu), critically endangered hawksbill turtles (honuʻea), Hawaiian monk seals, and the native Hawaiian hawk (ʻio). These and other species rely on its intact coastal ecosystem for nesting, feeding, and refuge.
Defining Features & Significance
Cultural Heritage
and Historical Role
Punaluʻu has long been a site of resourcefulness and reverence. Its name—“spring (water) diver for”—reflects the traditional practice of diving for freshwater from submerged springs. Historically, the area served as a place of offerings, communication, and later as a 19th-century sugar-shipping port. Cultural landmarks such as Kaʻieʻi.e. Heiau and the Ala Kahakai Trail connect it to a wider network of sacred sites and ancestral trails across the island.
Distinctive Landscape
and Visitor Access
Punaluʻu’s shimmering black sand and rugged beauty make it one of Hawaiʻi’s most visually iconic beaches. Accessible via Highway 11, the site includes restrooms, showers, picnic pavilions, and permitted day camping. It remains a favorite stop for those traveling to Volcanoes National Park.
The Opportunity
CURRENT STATUS
The Global Land Restoration Fund is working with local partners to acquire approximately 434 acres to be placed in the stewardship of the local community and forever conserved.
CONTACT FOR MORE INFORMATION
Steve Hobbs
Executive Director
Global Land Restoration Fund
Em: s.hobbs@globallandrestoration.org
Ph: +1 (651) 249-1389