Collecting minerals in Hawai‘i

• Annual Rock and Mineral Show in Honolulu, Hawaii, October 16 & 17, 2010

Dear readers,

We get quite a few request via this website about collecting rocks or minerals in Hawai’i. We are sure this information is not what you have been looking for:

As the Mineral Society we recommend you enjoy the beaches, nature and our wonderful people, food and our enchanted environment. There is not really very much to look for rocks here, since our islands are geologically very young and most of it is different kinds of lava. Most minerals found here are a few millimeters in size anyway and are not what you might have been hoping for clicking on this link.

If you feel the urge to collect something (besides great memories and photos) take a stroll along the beach and look for shells. If you are exceptionally lucky you might find a prized rainbow shell.

Most of us from Hui Pohaku leave the islands if we want to go rock collecting. We know that there are quite a few mineral listed on mindat.org, but e.g. the Mo‘ili‘ili Quarry listed there (reference from 1933!) has long become part of the University of Hawaii-Manoa parking garage and Special Events Arena and Diamond Head is a State Monument . It is also a sad fact that some collection sites that might have existed in the past and are listed in books or publications are now covered by houses, hotels or are located on private property (with no trespassing posted).

As a word of caution: It is said that Madame Pele, the Goddess of the Hawaiian Volcanoes does not look kindly on removing lava or sand from the Big Island. Just so you know, the rest is up to you.