I am hoping the poster fdecarlo, who seems to be quite up on BI info, can help me out.(Anyone else too, please)I am hoping to take my family to the black and green sand beaches when we are on the BI next month but the kids are still not up to major hiking for long periods of time. Are the areas of Punaluu, Kehana and Mahana that you mentioned in a previous post easily accessible? We will have a jeep but the kids are not going to be able to hike rough terrain for too long. I would love to be able to show them the diversity of the beaches. Thanks for any info...

I'll respond to the easy (for anyone~gt;)
,
Punaluu access could not be any easier.
Beachlink: www.sease.com/regina/hawaiibeaches.html#green

Excellent-thanks a million John!

Access to Kehena is easy, just a short scramble down the side of the hill from the parking lot on a paved road. You should be aware that Kehena Beach is a clothing optional beach and the surf is quite strong there. Richardson's beach in Hilo would be a better choice for children if you are planning to swim.

Kehena is indeed clothing optional -- not officially, as public nudity is illegal in Hawaii -- but I've seen entire families of naked people there, including families with kids. But Gloria's advice is sage. Kehena is definitely not the best choice for swimming if you have kids.

You didn't mention the age of your kids, but if you aren't planning to drive to the green sand beach in a 4WD the hike may be too much for them. There are no facilities whatsoever in the area (even drinking water or shade).

But if you go, I highly recommend hiking down to the beach. From above, the green sand is impossible to really appreciate. The hike down is not nearly as bad as it looks. I've seen 5 and 6 year-olds do it with ease. The lava rock forms shelves down the face of the cinder cone that act almost like stairs. Also, going on a sunny day is much preferable, as the sunlight refracts off the sand.

Mahalo for the good tips!