Media release | Hawaii Deparment of Land and Natural Resources

HONOLULU – The Department of Land and Natural Resources today temporarily closed a portion of the beach at Hapuna State Recreation Area in Kona for public safety until further notice, pending investigation of possible unexploded ordnance.  

A Hawaii County Ocean Safety lifeguard today spotted a cylindrical object in waters 4-5 feet deep at the south end of Hapuna Beach. The object has been described as 4-6″ in diameter and about 8″ of it is showing above the sand.  It has not yet been investigated nor confirmed as unexploded ordnance.

Yellow “CAUTION” tape has been put up along the beach from the south lifeguard tower and going northward, and also near the rock outcropping between the state park side of the beach and the Prince Hotel side of the beach. The public is advised to stay out of this area along the beach and in the adjacent waters.  The park is closed overnight.

DLNR’s Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement dispatched an officer to the scene upon notification by lifeguards. The US Army’s Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) office on Oahu was notified.