Hawaii County reaches tentative deal to purchase Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach Park

Hawaii County has reached a tentative agreement to purchase the 6.8-acre Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach Park from Black Sand Beach LLC for an assessed value of $1.46 million. The deal, facilitated through the County’s Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Commission (PONC) program, aims to ensure the site remains open to the public in perpetuity.

The park, which includes parking, pavilions, restrooms, and campgrounds, had been under county lease since at least 1954. However, the lease ended on August 29, leading to the park's closure and a period of uncertainty regarding public access. The breakthrough in negotiations followed direct discussions between Mayor Kimo Alameda and the landowner, moving past previous years of attorney-led negotiations.

As part of the agreement, the county will maintain an approximately quarter-mile section of Ninole Loop Road to mitigate traffic impacts. The landowner will guarantee public access over this segment of the private roadway. While the agreement has been reached, the purchase is not yet final, and the park remains officially closed to visitors.