Hawaii County has struck a tentative deal to buy Punaluu Black Sand Beach Park, good news for Big Island residents and visitors locked out of the site since late August.

• The county agreed to buy the nearly seven-acre property from its private owner, Black Sand Beach LLC.
• Mayor Kimo Almeida reached the deal in person at Punaluu, with a price tag of $1.46 million.
• The beach has been closed since lease talks with the owner collapsed in late August.
• Buying the land outright replaces the failed lease arrangement and puts the park under public control for good.

Outlook: The agreement still has to be finalized before the county can take ownership and reopen the beach.