Hawai`i - Malama Petroglyphs

Malama Petroglyphs



Coral graffiti exiting the Puako resort area. It's the environmentally friendly alternative to actual graffiti, plus when it's run its course it can be rearranged to something new. Just don't steal the coral out of the sea - use the bleached stuff that's been sitting on the beach for awhile.


The actual Malama Petroglyphs are located nearly a mile out of a small parking lot tucked deep in Puako - enter the resort area and keep making right turns, then before you get to the beach look for a trail on the right side of the lot. About 500 feet in there are these lovely, crisp, clean petroglyphs arranged in a neat circle. Those are for the kids to play with. After that, the trail suddenly becomes a tiny unpaved cleared path, crossing streams and diving under branches; you'd never find it unless you were following it, in which case there's just enough evidence to keep you going.


In the foreground of the last photo is a small prayer, offering, or fire site. It was either left by a Hawaiian tribe until being discovered by outsiders, or is a recent remnant from a faithful descendant.

Do not disturb.


There are fewer marks on the left side of the site, so clearly the natives were filling in the rocks in order.


The predominant glyphs are people and turtles. Hawaiians really liked turtles for some reason.

More Big Island photos
Out of Malama on HI Route 19
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