Plaža Papakolea sa zelenim peskom

@pepper.steps and there’s only 4 of these beaches in the entire world! it was such a privilege to hike out to papakōlea beach, named after the kōlea, a migratory and loyal plover. an area with SO much history, and SO much science, my kind of place! i hiked in to this beach and was the first person in the parking lot that morning. when we came back, there were loads of people, hiking in, getting rides in the backs of pick-up trucks, and many locals, selling snacks and drinks. i got to speak with one woman who was selling drinks about what mālama ‘āina meant to them, and discovered that it is truly only the locals who are taking care of this area. they pooled their own money to get portable toilets, because tourists were doing their business and littering all around the trailhead. as a tourist myself, i felt embarrassed. and you bet your sweet bippy i waited to go to the washroom until we got home to save… well, space, you know. anyways, this day taught me that we can all do better. we can all be better, and take care of the land we spend our time on, not just as a tourist, but within our own areas too. mālama ‘āina can be practiced everywhere and anywhere. mahalo! MY OFFICIAL DISCLAIMER I’m a visitor to Hawaiʻi and not of Native Hawaiian descent. I share this information as a curious traveler with a desire to better understand the land that I visit. I have a deep respect for the land, its people, and the traditions that have cared for it long before me. I have a real love for the diversity of life here. Not just the science, but the stories, survival knowledge, and cultural values that come with it. I’ve done my best to honor those layers here, and if I’ve gotten anything wrong, I welcome corrections from those with deeper roots and knowledge. #papakolea #greensand #olivine #geology #volcano #maunaloa #didyouknow #science #nature #natureisneat #fyp #explore ♬ Bossa Nova Brazil – Lofi Danny