text: are there really beaches with black sand? where are the beaches located and why is the sand black?   good question.  punalu'u black sand beach is a beach near naalehu, hawaii on the big island of hawaii that has black sand created by volcanic activity. the volcanic activity is now in hawaii volcanoes national park. taking black sand is prohibited, but local tradition says that if any of the black sand from punalu'u beach is taken away from hawaii that the person that took it will be cursed until it is returned. the same is said about the local volcanic rocks.  honokalani black sand beach is located in the wainapanapa state park. this large beach is set among lava cliffs and the sand is actually small, smooth, lava pebbles. a small sea arch, sea caves, and seaside lava tubes are located in the beach area. king's highway, an ancient hawaiian footpath, leads from the beach area along the coastline for 3 miles to the town of hana.    please use the links below and check out the amazing information,   i have attached  links to encyclopedia references links to a pictures and description of a black sand beach, links to a pictures of the source of the black sand (lava).