Hawaii County will stop running the Big Island's popular Punaluu Black Sand Beach Park after lease talks with the private landowner collapsed, an unwelcome change for visitors and locals who use the park.

• The county has leased the 7-acre park site for 72 years, but the current owner asked for new terms in 2024.
• The county offered a 10-year lease at over $159,000 a year, and the owner turned it down.
• A two-month extension that kept talks alive runs out Saturday, after which the park facilities go back to the owner.
• The owner's attorney says the county was offered another 30-day extension this week and rejected it outright.
• The owner says it still plans to keep the beach park open to the public.

Outlook: Control of the park shifts to the private owner this weekend, leaving public access dependent on the landowner's promises rather than a county lease.