Big Island Petroglyphs: A Guide to Hawaiʻi's Ancient Carvings

The lava fields of Hawaiʻi Island are a canvas for one of the most extensive and sacred collections of rock art in the Pacific. These ancient carvings, known as kīʻi pōhaku, are windows into the lives, beliefs, and history of the Hawaiian people. Visiting these sites is a profound experience, but it comes with a deep responsibility to act as a guardian, or kahu, for the short time you are there.

This guide will walk you through the most significant and accessible petroglyph fields on the Big Island, providing the context and practical advice you need to visit them with the respect they command.

What Are Hawaiian Petroglyphs?

Kīʻi pōhaku translates to "images in stone." They are images pecked or carved into the dark crust of pāhoehoe lava flows. Unlike petrographs (drawings on rock), petroglyphs are incised into the stone itself. These are not random doodles; they are a historical record, a library etched in lava.

For centuries, Native Hawaiians created these carvings to document genealogies, commemorate significant events, mark boundaries, and record celestial observations. Some glyphs represent human forms (anthropomorphs), animals like dogs and sea turtles, and canoes. Others are more abstract, with circles, lines, and dots whose specific meanings are often known only to the families who created them. Many sites, like Puʻu Loa in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, are deeply connected to the birth of children, with the piko (umbilical cord) of a newborn placed in a carved hole to ensure a long and prosperous life.

How to View Petroglyphs Respectfully

These sites are fragile, irreplaceable, and sacred to Native Hawaiians. The oils from a single handprint can accelerate the erosion of the rock. Walking off-trail can damage unseen carvings. The National Park Service (NPS) and State of Hawaiʻi have established clear guidelines for visiting these areas. Please follow them without exception.

• Stay on the designated trails or boardwalks. Never walk on the petroglyph fields themselves. The lava is fragile, and you could easily damage a carving that is not immediately visible.
• Do not touch the petroglyphs. Even a light touch deposits oils and acids from your skin, which degrade the ancient rock and obscure the carvings over time.
• Never make rubbings or tracings. This practice, once common, is now understood to cause significant, irreversible damage to the delicate carvings. Take photos instead—they last longer and do no harm.
• Do not add to or alter the carvings. It may seem obvious, but defacing these sites is not only disrespectful, it is a crime.
• Pack out everything you pack in. Leave no trace of your visit.
• Visit with reverence. Speak softly and take a moment to appreciate the history and spiritual significance of the place you are in.

Where to See Petroglyphs on the Big Island

While there are hundreds of sites across the island, three major fields are well-preserved and accessible to the public. Each offers a different experience.

Puakō Petroglyph Archaeological Preserve

Located on the Kohala Coast, the Puakō preserve contains one of the largest concentrations of petroglyphs in all of Hawaiʻi, with over 3,000 documented carvings. The site is a short drive from the resorts of the South Kohala and feels a world away.

• The Hike: An easy, 1.4-mile round-trip trail leads from the parking area through a dense, dryland kiawe forest before opening into the main petroglyph field. The path is mostly flat but can be rocky and uneven.
• What You’ll See: The carvings here are remarkable for their diversity and clarity. You'll see family groups holding hands, dancers, warriors, paddlers in canoes, and various animals. The sheer number is staggering. There are informational signs, but the best approach is to walk slowly and let your eyes adjust to spotting the faint carvings in the rock.
• Practical Info: The trail is located at the end of Puakō Beach Drive. Look for the small parking area. Go early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the midday heat and for the best viewing; the low-angle light makes the carvings stand out. Bring water, wear sturdy shoes, and use sunscreen.

Puʻu Loa Petroglyphs, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

Puʻu Loa, meaning "Long Hill" or "Hill of a Long Life," is a sacred and powerful site within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. It contains more than 23,000 petroglyphs, making it the most extensive field in the state. According to the NPS, this site was primarily used to bless the births of children.

• The Hike: The trailhead is located on Chain of Craters Road, between mile markers 16 and 17. The hike is a 1.5-mile round trip over an exposed, undulating pāhoehoe lava field. The trail is marked by stacked rocks (ahu). At the end, a boardwalk allows for close-up viewing of a dense concentration of glyphs without risk of damage.
• What You’ll See: The majority of carvings here are single holes or circles, often with a dot in the middle, representing the piko (umbilical cord). It was tradition to place the piko of a newborn in a carved hole to wish the child a long life. You will also see other geometric and figurative carvings.
• Practical Info: Access requires paying the entrance fee for Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. The hike is hot and exposed with no shade or water. Wear a hat, sunscreen, and sturdy shoes. The NPS recommends visiting before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. to avoid extreme heat. The experience of walking on the vast, empty lava plain to reach the site is part of its power.

ʻAnaehoʻomalu Petroglyph Field (Waikoloa Petroglyph Preserve)

Conveniently located within the Waikoloa Beach Resort area, this field is perhaps the most easily accessible of the major sites. It is managed by the resort in partnership with cultural advisors and is a fantastic option for those with limited time or mobility.

• The Hike: Short, paved, and well-marked trails wind through the lava field, which is situated between a golf course and the King's Shops. It's less of a hike and more of a stroll.
• What You’ll See: While smaller than Puakō or Puʻu Loa, the field at ʻAnaehoʻomalu contains a fascinating array of well-preserved carvings. You can get quite close to the petroglyphs, which are protected by rock wall boundaries. Signs provide context about the meanings of the various figures, which include many human and animal forms.
• Practical Info: Park near the King's Shops or the Waikoloa Beach Marriott. Follow the signs for the petroglyph trail. It's a great, quick cultural stop. Because it's so accessible, it’s even more important to be mindful of staying on the paths.

The Meaning Behind the Carvings

While we can't know the precise story behind every image, cultural experts and kumu (teachers) have provided a great deal of insight. Many linear figures represent people. Figures with bent knees might be in motion—dancing or fighting. Circles can represent the piko tradition, celestial bodies, or geographical locations. Concentric circles and complex geometric patterns may be territorial markers or astronomical maps.

It is important to remember that much of the oral history that accompanied these carvings has been lost. The kīʻi pōhaku remain as a silent, powerful testament to a vibrant culture. They are a direct link to the past, a story written in stone for all future generations, provided we treat them with the care they deserve.

Related Articles:

• A Visitor's Guide to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park (/blog/hawaii-volcanoes-national-park-guide)
• Exploring the Kohala Coast: From Beaches to History (/blog/kohala-coast-beaches-history)
• Hiking the Puakō Malama Trail (/blog/puako-malama-trail-hike)