South Point, Ka Lae, is the southern tip of the Island of Hawaiʻi, at the end of South Point Road below Hawaiʻi Belt Road and south of Nāʻālehu, on the Kaʻū Scenic Byway. The South Point Complex here is a National Historic Landmark and is believed to be the landing place of Hawaiʻi's first inhabitants. Ka Lae is a flat, grassy, windy plateau on high cliffs above very deep water with strong, dangerous currents, and the National Park Service advises against swimming. Ancient Hawaiians who fished from canoes drilled mooring holes through the rock ledges, and you can see them west of Kalalea Heiau, a fishing shrine to Kuʻula where local fishermen still leave offerings. Look for salt pans around the complex, and leave offerings and stones as you find them. Papakōlea Beach, colored green by olivine crystals, lies east of the heiau and can be reached by vehicle or on foot along the shoreline. Hurricane Lala caused heavy damage across Kaʻū, destroying or damaging roads and bridges along and near Hawaiʻi Belt Road. Visitors are asked to avoid non-essential travel into Nāʻālehu, Pāhala and Waiʻōhinu while recovery continues, so check conditions before you go.
At the end of South Point Road; Kaʻū is recovering from Hurricane Lala, so avoid non-essential travel into affected towns.