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Hawaii Has 7 New Black Sand Beaches, Thanks to the Kilauea Volcano

Jan. 12, 2019
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3 min read
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Hawaii Has 7 New Black Sand Beaches, Thanks to the Kilauea Volcano
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When the Kilauea volcano erupted on the island of Hawaii last May, it brought more than smoke and lava. It changed the topography of the island. There are now seven new stunning black sand beaches framing the Big Island's rugged coastline.

We previously reported that the Lower East Rift Zone eruption added a mile to the island's coastline and formed a new miniature islet off the coast. Though the tiny islet is no longer there, it now appears that Kilauea created seven black sand beaches between the MacKenzie State Recreation Area and Isaac Hale Beach Park, also known as Pohoiki, according to a report by the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

While MacKenzie Beach reopened last September with two new black sand beaches, Isaac Hale Beach Park remained closed until December. Prior to the eruption, the area around Mackenzie Beach was made up of high, rocky cliffs that jutted out into the ocean. Though some of the new black sand beaches are now accessible to visitors, State Parks caretaker Kyle Takeya cautioned, “There is a powerful undertow at these beaches and a swimmer or boarder could easily be swept out to sea.”

According to a statement by the Parks and Recreation Department of the County of Hawaii, the lava flow also created four natural ocean thermal ponds, but they have not been disinfected, so visitors are being warned to enter them at their own risk.

At the reopened Isaac Hale Beach Park, there is a lifeguard on duty and a 24-hour security presence, though the park is only open from 9am until 6pm. There's no running water, since the lava damaged the county lines leading to the park, and there's no camping allowed until further notice. Until the water is restored, portable toilets will be available to the public.

At the reopening ceremony on Dec. 6, Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim told Hawaii News Now that the park's reopening was "something positive out of a very, very bad event."

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The sentiment was echoed by local residents and Ross Birch, executive director of the Hawaii Visitors Bureau, who told CNN he was hopeful about a "silver lining."

It's certainly good news for the state, which is one of the top trending destinations of 2019, thanks to a flurry of new flight routes launched last year and Southwest's plan to launch flights to Hawaii this year.

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Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

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  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.