Hawaii County is walking away from one of the Big Island's most famous beaches after lease talks with the private landowner collapsed, which is bad news for visitors and locals who relied on county-run facilities.

• The county's lease on Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach Park ends Saturday, and county-run park services stop with it.
• Talks with landowner Black Sand Beach LLC failed after the owner turned down both a 10-year lease offer and an offer to buy the land.
• Park buildings and improvements go back to the landowner once the lease lapses.
• The public can still reach the beach using a road at the northern end.

Outlook: The beach stays open for now, but its upkeep and long-term public access depend on what the private owner decides to do next.