Puako Petroglyph Archaeological Preserve

Although petroglyphs can be found among the various archipelagos spread across the Pacific Ocean, the largest concentrations of petroglyphs can be found on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi, and the Puako Petroglyph Archaeological Preserve on the west coast (or Kona Coast) of the island features one of the largest concentrations of the Big Island’s petroglyphs.

The main part of the site features an area of cracked but smooth orange-brown volcanic rock called pahoehoe that are covered in petroglyphs and that are encircled by a short trail.  The area has about 3000 petroglyphs in total.  Most of the readily visible petroglyphs are linear stick-figure like depictions of people, although depictions of animals and some other abstract figures can also be found in the area.

The exact purpose of these petroglyphs is unknown, but anthropologists and archaeologists have determined that ancient native Hawaiʻians chose Puako as a site for creating petroglyphs for two reasons.  First, the site is located at the boundary between the two major ancient ahupuaʻa (or land divisions) of Kohala and Kona, and it seems like these were locations that the native Hawaiʻians sought out when creating petroglyphs.  Second, the smooth pahoehoe in the area is an ideal surface for creating petroglyphs.  The petroglyph field is also near the ancient trail that ran the length of the Big Island’s western coastline, which probably made it a more convenient place to leave petroglyphs.

Although modern developments, including massive beachside resorts and extensive golf courses, have been constructed all along the Kona Coast, the area immediately around Puako Petroglyph Park itself has remained untouched.  Consequently, the park is an excellent place for visitors to escape the noise and the crowds of the tourist areas and to quietly experience part of Hawaiʻi’s prehistoric past.