| For hundreds of years, since arriving on the | | | | limbs rubbing together in the breeze. If the surf is |
| islands until after Western contact in the late | | | | up, listen for the steady "heartbeat of the land" |
| 1700s-early 1800s, Hawaiians created images on | | | | as the surf breaks onshore. Look for the lava |
| smooth areas of lava. Their accomplishments are | | | | tube cave off on the right, and keep an eye out |
| even more impressive considering that these | | | | for isolated glyphs along the trail. Even people who |
| carvings were made without use of metal tools. | | | | have been walking the trail, for over 20 years can |
| Some of the petroglyph images are clustered | | | | be surprised to spot another one they missed |
| near historic land boundaries or along foot | | | | before! Visitors who were here previously, before |
| "highways" through lava fields, but the full reasons | | | | the Puako brushfires, will notice burned areas |
| for their location and creation remain a mystery. | | | | along the trail. You cross a service road and |
| Sadly, development has destroyed many of these | | | | continue uphill across a grassy lava plain. The |
| treasures--ancient images that escaped | | | | viewing area has a gravel, elevated viewing |
| destruction by earthquake or lava flow were | | | | platform and bench. Sit and listen to the wind and |
| destroyed during the construction of resorts and | | | | imagine what it must have been like here |
| golf courses. Some of the fields have been | | | | hundreds of years ago...there are hundreds and |
| preserved and are accessible by the public, and | | | | hundreds of visible glyphs on the smooth lava |
| Hawaii vacation rentals are the way to see them. | | | | rock surface and more hidden in the surrounding |
| Petroglyphs are a must-see for those interested | | | | area, covered by grass and brush. The walk |
| in the history and culture of Hawaii. When you go, | | | | around the viewing area (stay on the trail!) is well |
| be respectful and stay on designated viewing | | | | worth your time, allowing a better view of the |
| platforms and paths. Do not touch the rock | | | | images. This area has a strong "sense of place" |
| images or attempt to make rubbings of | | | | and the walk back slowly brings you back to the |
| them--human actions like this destroy works that | | | | modern world of your Hawaii accommodation ... |
| have endured for centuries. | | | | take the time to examine that lava cave if you |
| The Pukalo Petroglyph Field and Malama Trail are | | | | didn't see it on the way to the glyphs! |
| in a historic park in the Mauna Lani Resort. Mauna | | | | Petroglyph afficionados should also go see the |
| Lani Resort is known for its relative sensitivity to | | | | field at Waikoloa near Kings Shops. Kings Shops |
| the historic and cultural heritage of the area. This | | | | are near the entrance of the Waikoloa Resort, |
| is one of the largest preserved petroglyph fields in | | | | about 5 minutes south of Mauna Lani Resort. |
| Hawaii. The setting is serene and natural.. Plan on | | | | Follow the signs and turn right for petroglyph |
| at least an hour to walk the trail and appreciate | | | | parking. What you will find is a portion of a larger |
| the petroglyphs. To get to the historic park and | | | | petroglyph field, some of which was destroyed |
| viewable portion of the Puako petroglyph fields, | | | | during construction of the resort. It is exposed to |
| go about 30 miles north of the Keahole airport to | | | | the sun and can be very hot--be sure to bring |
| the Mauna Lani Resort. At the roundabout, follow | | | | water and a hat. This field is surrounded by golf |
| the signs right toward the Fairmont Orchid and | | | | courses, Hawaii villaand condos. |
| Historic Park. Go past the Orchid turnoff and park | | | | Although the overall experience can't match the |
| in the lot at the end of the road, near the shore. | | | | Puako glyphs at Mauna Lani, notice that the |
| There are clean restrooms, a drinking fountain, | | | | petroglyphs themselves are different from the |
| and showers there, along with a grassy picnic | | | | ones at Mauna Lani. Kona Village Resort has a |
| area and tables. The beach park is rocky and not | | | | magnificent petroglyph site that (like Mauna Lani's) |
| that swimmable, but you may see fishermen or | | | | was carefully surveyed and preserved during |
| surfers, depending on conditions. The Malama | | | | resort construction. The viewable glyphs are |
| Petroglyph Trail starts just north of the parking | | | | surrounded by a raised wooden walkway that |
| lot. There is a sign. At the beginning, there are | | | | preserves the images and makes the viewing trail |
| some replica glyphs to show you what to expect. | | | | wheelchair accessible. Again, these glyphs have |
| If you want, you can make rubbings of these | | | | some distinctive features not found elsewhere. To |
| replicas. Be aware that touching or walking on or | | | | see them, call Kona Village Resort and ask about |
| making rubbings of the real ones are prohibited. It | | | | a tour of their magnificent site--they do guided |
| damages them. The trail can take from 15 | | | | tours for the public. These are usually done |
| minutes to 30 minutes to cover one way, | | | | weekly but the extremely knowledgeable cultural |
| depending on your footwear and how fast you | | | | staff have also done individual tours by advance |
| travel over the uneven ground (rocks, roots). | | | | request. Visiting Hawaii's unique petroglyphs is a |
| Take your time, there are things to see along the | | | | serene and powerful reminder that you are |
| way! Be sure to bring water, it can be hot. The | | | | visiting a land with rich history and culture, not just |
| trail winds inland through a kiawe forest. Listen, | | | | a place to swim, snorkel, and play golf! |
| and you can hear the eerie sounds of the tree | | | | |