We took a 5.7 mile hike to Papakolea (green sands) beach, located near the most southern point of the 50 states. According to Lonely Planet it is only one of four green sand beaches in the world! The green sand gets its color from the mineral olivine (a mineral containing iron and magnesium), found in the enclosing cinder cone of the local volcano. We were surprised at how strong and sustained the winds were on our hike. But I can say that none of us has ever felt wind like that before!