Puu Loa Petroglyph Field
add photosPu`uloa, translated as the “long hill”i or “Hill-(of)-long-(life)”ii from Hawaiian, is a place considered sacred to the people of Hawai`i, and those of Kalapana in particular.
Located in the ahupua`a (an ancient Hawaiian land division) of Panau Nui on the southern flank of Kilauea volcano, Pu`uloa is the name of the site which contains a vast area covered with incredible numbers of pecked images in the harden lava, images known as petroglyphs. The archaeological site of Pu`uloa contains over 23,000 petroglyph images; motifs containing cupules or holes (84% of the total) , motifs of circles, other geometric as well as cryptic designs, human representations known as anthropomorphs, canoe sails, and even feathered cape motifs.
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"Fascinating,"
--but probably boring for small kids. Mine were kindergartners when we went there, and they went "hmm" and were ready to move on. But for those able to appreciate how old these markings are, their significance, and how much work it took to make them in the lava rock, they're quite impressive. They gave me the willies, though, because I could sense that a few hundred or maybe even a thousand years ago, someone from a society long gone stood in exactly the same spot I was in and made the marking. They're not far off the highway, but it's hot in the bright sun, and walking on the lava is like walking on asphalt -- don't wear thin shoes.
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"Fascinating!"
The trail to the field is marked with little ahu, or triangular piles of stone. You can walk on a wooden path around the field, but please do stay on the path to protect the petroglyphs. The ancient markings are fascinating and offer a glimpse of what life was like for ancient Hawaiians. Etchings of warriors, canoes, and families are easily discernible. Look for etched circles with holes in the center. These are known as puu loa. Fathers would place the umbilical cords of newborns into these holes as offerings to the gods and to ask for a long life for their children.
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