God shaped a perfect halfmoon. Turquoise water covered the white sands. Fish schools swarmed the low coral reef. High palm trees shaded the descent. Was it heaven? Maybe the closest image to South Seas fantasies was pictured here.
Then men arrived.
Volcanic islands are a geological paradise, You'll never stop learning about the rock formations that can be found in Hawai'i, but instead of listing a lesson, I would like fellow geocachers to spend some time thinking once they come here: what would the islands be if we had not taken over? I was here 25 years ago, what a change! We see photos of the Hawai'ian 50's. And when tourists were still to come? Let us consider and answer my questions. Some require to be in the place to find the answers, not much internet research is needed, but some individual considerations. My query is about the impact of human colonization on the local habitat. 
Please notice that there is a parking and entrance fee if you come 6am to 7pm (summer) and 6am to 6pm (winter). Please update me if there is a time change, so that I can modify my listing to help future geocachers. There are plenty of shuttles from hotels/Koko Marina Shopping Mall (there is free parking and you can rent a taxi or take a 7.50$ ride from Hawaii Water Sports Center). Beach wheelchairs are available at opening times. Consider coming after hours (free access and parking and there is less crowd...)
GEOLOGY Human impact on the beaches is more severe than people may know. Human interferences have impacted the pollution levels, marine life, and erosion rates. ... Mechanical sweepers and various human activities have disrupted marine life affecting both small and large animals. On Oahu, Hawaii, 30 percent of the island’s sandy beaches have disappeared because of sea walls” (Bush, Neal, and All, 2004, p. 98). In various ways, humans have attempted to improve conditions on the beaches and have affected them tremendously. Human interference has affected pollution levels marine life, and erosion rates, which in turn has altered the normal routine of beaches. Beach life is changing, as human impact continues. Marine life is highly susceptible to human impacts. Even small amounts of human interference have a huge impact on marine life. As an example, sand castles can have an impact on marine life. Sand castle may interfere with wary loggerhead turtles when they crawl onto the beach surface to lay their eggs causing the loggerheads to return back to the sea (Reduce, p. 1). Erosion is the largest conflict dealing with the beaches. Human impact has shown a decline in size of the beaches. Within a ten-year period photograph proves that the beach had shrunk 10 feet quickly and shockingly. Each year recreational needs increase causing accelerated deterioration, and destruction of vegetation on dunes (Goudie, 2000, p. 312). Walking on sand dunes is now illegal on many beach. Sand dunes help to decrease erosion on the beaches. Beach plants grow in the sand dunes with roots that grow up to 20 feet deep into the sand. The roots allows the plant to hold and maintain its grip in the sand therefore the wind cannot easily blow it away. The plant is now able to catch sand in the wind to lower the mobility of the sand. The most vital aspect of the plant is its ability to regrow after its upper part has been torn off by the wind due to its roots. Walking on sand dunes is lethal to the sensitive plants. “Frequently coastal erosion has been accelerated as a result of human efforts to reduce it” (Goudie, 2000, p. 311). Plants transfer is a typical answer to stop erosion because plants increase amount and size of dunes. An area with lots of vegetation holds up to stronger winds and will endures over a longer period of time than areas with little vegetation. In an effort to protect properties from dangerous storms many public beaches have built sea walls and jetties. A disadvantage of sea walls is that they increase sediment movement causing the shrinking of the beaches. Human constructions projects have all had a negative impact on the beaches resulting in low amounts of sand. “The piecemeal emplacement of expensive sea walls and cliff protection structures is often have only of short-term effectiveness and can cause accelerated erosion downdrift” (Goudie, 2000, p. 314). The building of dams and multiple types of protections from storms have accelerated the speed of erosion. Sea walls have been proven to be extremely expensive to the public beach because of the constant trucking of sand onto the beach. The sand above sea awall is normally safe, but the sand underneath is washed away as years past. Further down the beach sand will also wash away. Along the beach sand seem to disappear and the beach seems small even during low tides. Each rock of the man made sea wall weights approximately 2000 pounds and had to be brought in and laid in pace.
Question 1. Go to GZ (Stage 1) and, if you want, take a picture in whatever direction. Towards the ocean (makai), backwards inland (mauka), up in the air (like my photo) or down to the sand. With or without yourself or your party. Post the optional picture and tell me how human impact altered the local geology and biosphere. Make a comparison with another beach (name and locate the other beach with rough coordinates).
Should natural areas be made available to everybody? How can the environment be better preserved in your opinion? Is this beach spoiled by the crowds? You can also use this answer in your listing. Feel free to share all your opinions on the topic.
Question 2. There aren't many other places in the world where you can find such a variety of beaches as in the Hawaiian islands. Beaches in Hawaii can be composed of white, yellow, black, red or even green sand, as well as pebbles and rocks. Most beaches in the world are made up of the quartz mineral; others contain small rocks, coral or shell fragments, iron, small gemstones and other minerals. The Hawaiian islands are of volcanic origin, formed by undersea volcanoes. Since Hawaii does not have a continental source of quartz, the popular white beaches here are composed of the carbonate shells of marine organisms. Now look underyour feet: what colour is the sand in Hanauma Bay? Where does it come from? How big are the grains? Send me your answers to validate your log in.
Mahalo and aloha.