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Hawaii, with its islands made of volcanic basalt, might not be a location that springs to the rockhounder’s mind when considering places to enjoy the hobby, but there are a few sites to search for rocks and minerals in the state, particularly for those interested in geology related to volcanism. The basaltic nature of the islands’ geology severely limits the opportunities for rockhounding apart from rare sites. There are also some fossil coral reefs that can be found near the modern shore on some of the islands.
The Best Rockhounding Spots in Hawai’i Are:
| Site | Public or Private | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|---|
| Pu’u Wa’awa’a | Public | 19.802121, -155.840104 |
| Diamond Head | Public | 21.255618, -157.806346 |
| Kapaa Quarry | Private | 21.390485, -157.775377 |
| Papakolea Green Sand Beach | Public | 18.935982, -155.646481 |
| Olowalu Valley | Public | |
| Manele Bay | Public | 20.737880, -156.892858 |
Some of the rocks and minerals you can find in Hawai’i include basalt, calcite, peridot, laumonite, obsidian, and fossils.
If you are interested in checking out the best rockhounding tools I recommend and use you can find them by clicking here (Amazon link).
Rockhounding Regulations and Laws in Hawai’i
Rockhounding on federal tracts of land (those managed by the Bureau of Land Management) is allowed. Some state parks permit the collection of rocks, minerals, and fossils from their lands.
As the rules regarding rockhounding on public and private lands are always changing, be sure to check with the state parks or landowners before you head out to new sites on your rockhounding adventures. To hunt for gems in Hawai’i, a permit must be obtained from the Department of Land and Natural Resources.
The Best Public Rockhounding Sites in Hawai’i
There are not many places in the Hawaiian Islands that are suitable for rockhounding. Despite this, there are a few places to look for some interesting mineral and rock specimens.
Pu’u Wa’a Wa’a
Located on the island of Hawai’i (the Big Island), some obsidian can be found on the slopes of the north facing slope of the Hualālai Volcano. Obsidian is surprisingly quite rare on the islands, and this is one of the rare places it can be found in the state. At Pu’u Wa’a wa’a the obsidian is exposed in an old pumice quarry.
| Rocks / Minerals | Rarity |
|---|---|
| Obsidian | Occasional |
| Pumice | Common |
Diamond Head
The Diamond Head volcano on the island of O’ahu is a nice place to look for calcite crystals. It was these crystals that gave the volcano its name when they were mistaken for diamonds.
Collecting specimens of rocks and minerals is not permitted inside the Diamond Head State Monument, but the beach at the base of the mountain is situated outside of the park and offers rockhounds a location to hunt for calcite crystals while enjoying the scenic beach. This is an easy site to get to and is suitable for rockhounders of most physical fitness levels.
| Rocks / Minerals | Rarity |
|---|---|
| Calcite | Occasional |
BTW: Do you want to know more about rock and mineral identification? The books listed below are the best ones you can find on the internet (Amazon links):
- Smithsonian Handbooks: Rocks & Minerals
- Gemstone & Crystal Properties (Quick Study Home)
- Ultimate Explorer Field Guide: Rocks and Minerals (National Geographic Kids)
Kapaa Quarry
The Kapaa quarry on O’ahu is an active quarry and is the largest blue rock supplier in the state. The quarry has been in operation since its founding in 1949. The digging at this site occasionally turns up crystals of quartz.
| Rocks / Minerals | Rarity |
|---|---|
| Quartz | Rare |
| Basalt | Common |
Papakōlea Green Sand Beach
The Papakōlea Green Sand Beach is one of the very few beaches with green sand in the entire world. The colour of the beach here is due to the mineral olivine that the sand is composed of. On occasion, a pebble of the gem form of olivine, peridot, can be found.
Getting to the site can be arduous, and there are two options to get there. There is a parking lot located a few miles away from the beach; from there, your choices are to walk in or to get a lift from the guys with trucks that drive visitors to the green sand and back.
They charge a fee for this service, and be advised you’d be standing in the back of a truck, potentially loaded with other people as well, over rather bumpy terrain. In either case, be advised that the sun is vicious, and there is no water nor shade, so plan your trip well.
| Rocks / Minerals | Rarity |
|---|---|
| Peridot | Rare |
| Olivine | Common |
Olowalu Valley
Located on the island of Maui, the Olowalu Valley is one of the very rare sites in Hawai’i where quartz can be found. The quartz crystals are known as Maui diamonds.
| Rocks / Minerals | Rarity |
|---|---|
| Quartz | Rare |
Manele Bay
Manele Bay is situated on the south coast of the island of Lāna’i. A small variety of minerals can be found at this bay, but the most commonly found rock of interest is sunstone.
The bay itself is beautiful, and there are numerous tide pools that can be explored, and there are several hiking trails in the vicinity. All in all, this is a very pleasant place to spend some time looking for nice rock and mineral specimens.
| Rocks / Minerals | Rarity |
|---|---|
| Sunstone | Rare |
TIP: With so many beaches, volcanoes, and forests in Hawaii, it can be challenging to know what rocks or minerals to search for and where to find them. Find out more in the article below:
8 Common Rocks & Minerals You Can Find in Hawaii
Rockhounding Clubs in Hawai’i
The state of Hawaii has one mineral society, which you can read about below.
The Rock and Mineral Society of Hawai’i
The Rock and Mineral Society is based in Honolulu on the island of O’ahu. The society offers monthly meetings, a periodic rock-and-mineral show, lapidary classes, a monthly newsletter, and field trips. The mineral shows are open to the public and free to attend. All the vendors are local.
State Gemstone
Hawai’i has not designated a state rock, a state mineral, or a state fossil. Hawai’i does have a state gemstone, black coral, but it has a biological origin, not a geologic origin.
Image: source
Recommended Rockhounding Gear
While special gear is not required to find nice rocks and fossils, having the right tools will help you find more than what’s simply laying around on the open ground. Here are some of the more basic tools and safety gear for interested rockhounds.
Geological Hammer
This 22oz Pointed-Tip Rock Pick by Estwing (Amazon link) is recommended for its durability and shock-reducing grip.
A rock pick is essential when collecting mineral specimens from a hard substrate such as stone. The pick’s handle is shock-resistant, making it more comfortable for use for longer times in the field.
Geology Pick
The Geology pick by Estwing (Amazon link) is a good choice for those starting out in the hobby as well as seasoned professionals.
The hammer comes with a pointed tip on one side of the head and a chiseled end on the other. This pick is good for excavating interesting mineral and fossil specimens.
Mini Shovel
The Mini D-Handle Round Point Shovel by Stanley (Amazon link) pairs convenience with durability. Especially in areas of soft material such as sand or clay, it is nice to have a sturdy shovel that is easy to carry.
The D-shaped handle gives you more leverage when digging on your knees, which is something that similarly sized standard-handled shovels wouldn’t provide.
Heavy Duty Work Gloves by Ironclad
Working with your hands in rockhounding environments can be rough; it is easy to get cuts or abrasions when in the field. Protecting your hands is important, especially while working with sharp or abrasive rocks.
The Heavy Duty Work Gloves by Ironclad (Amazon link) protect your hands from sharp rocks and tools. They are machine washable, highly abrasion resistant, and durable.
Safety Glasses
Eye protection is a must when breaking up a rock or any sort of work where debris could cause injury to your eyes.
The 3M Safety Glasses (Amazon link) are anti-fog and have a corded earplug system, as well as a removable foam gasket. The clear, scratch-resistant lenses shield the eyes against harmful ultraviolet light as well as prevent eye injury from flying rock chips.
First Aid Kit
With its 299 pieces, the Only Emergency First Aid Kit (Amazon link) is a good one for rockhounds. Of course, it’s best to avoid injuring yourself but if things go wrong it’s good to be prepared.
Some of the items found in the kit include fabric and plastic bandages, painkillers, gauze and pads, cold packs, wound closers, and many more.
Conclusion
Hawai’i is a place of exceptional beauty and of minimal rockhounding opportunities. Despite the paucity of suitable sites, there are still some places worth visiting if you happen to be visiting the state. While the pickings are slim for the hopeful rockhounder, the natural scenery of the islands can make the lack of good rock and mineral specimens more tolerable.
If you’re new to rockhounding in Hawai’i, a good place to begin is by contacting the rock and mineral society listed above; clubs like this can be an invaluable resource for new rockhounders.
TIP: While the Hawaiian islands don’t boast vast gold deposits like California or Alaska, that doesn’t mean you can’t strike it rich here. Find out more in the article below:
Gold Prospecting in Hawaii: 5 Best Locations & Laws