South Point

South Point or Ka Lae as the Hawaiians call the most southern tip of the island of Hawaii is also the most southern part of the United States. There is archaeological evidence that this was where the Polynesians first set foot on Hawaiian land as early as 200 A.D. One of South Point's most famous scenic spots is Mahana Beach, also called Green Sands Beach because it has a distinctive golden green color. The beach is composed chiefly of peridot, a semiprecious gemstone, but none of the fragments in the sand are large enough for jewelry purposes.

The cliff near South Point Park is a common mooring place for fishermen who find these waters a rich resource. Ladders hung from the cliff, which is deeply undercut, swing freely in the air just above the sea, make access to the boats easier. From the precipice the drop is about forty feet to the ocean's surface, but the cliff base goes down another thirty feet below the surface of the water. In the heat of the day the crystal clear water looks inviting to leap into the water and climb back up the ladder, but don't do it. A swift current runs along the shore which will carry anyone in the water straight out to sea. It is called the Halaea Current, named after a chief who was carried off to his death.