Sand from Hawaii

It was while I was living in Hawaii that I started to collect sand.  I was on a beautiful white sand beach and I started thinking, "this is a beautiful white sand beach!"  But then I thought, "white compared to what?"  When you're on a beach, that's all you see - there's no point of reference.  I had been sampling water from different areas of the Hawaiian coast (to measure primary production) and to do that we use a color bar; you compare the water in your sample to a standard set of colors and that way, scientists all over the world can discuss and compare water color.  I started to think about sand that way too - the only way to see sand variation would be to collect it and then make comparisons. 

Hawaii is a wonderful place to study sand - from olivine green sand to iron-rich red to pure volcanic black, Hawaii has it all.  And of course, sand tells a rich history of a place - geologically, chemically and biologically.  And the more I looked, the more I was hooked.  And I've been studying sand ever since. 
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Shark's Cove, Oahu (North Shore)

Makalawena, Big Island
Hawaii #1

Ka'anapali, Maui
Hawaii #2

Mahana, Big Island
Hawaii #3

Ke'e, Kauai
Hawaii #4

Punalu'u, Big Island
Hawaii #5

This is one of my favorite beaches on Earth.  The sand is pure black and the grains are exactly the same size - this is due to the fact that when the lava hits the sea, it changes temperature so rapidly it just explodes into these granules.  I also love this beach because sea turtles nest here AND because just down the road you can go to the Punalu'u bakery and have the BEST Hawaiian sweet bread!!!  SO yummy!

Polihale, Kauai
Hawaii #6

Poipu, Kauai
Hawaii #7

(W')'Aini, Kauai
Hawaii #8

Glass Beach, Kauai
Hawaii # 9, 10, 11

Waikiki Beach, O'ahu
Hawaii #12

Yes it's touristy beyond belief, but if you go around to the OTHER side of Diamond Head, it's actually quite beautiful. 

Kualoa, O'ahu
Hawaii #13

I wish the power lines didn't kill the mauka view, but still a pretty beach with some good waves for body boarding. 

Waimanalo, O'ahu
Hawaii #14

I used to live just a few minutes away from this beach, so it always feels like home.  I would take papers to grade and sit under an umbrella and work all afternoon.  Great swimming and picnic area - and it's never crowded. 

Lanikai, O'ahu
Hawaii #15

This is just one of those beaches you can't forget.  It's narrow, but perfect.  The color of the water is just magnificent here.  It's often crowded with locals on the weekends, but during the week it's pretty quiet. 

Ko'Olina Cove, O'ahu (Wedding Beach)
Hawaii #16

We got married on this beach so it's pretty special.  We were there at sunset and stood out on the pahoehoe lava and it was absolutely magical.