Take A Step Back In Time Along This Ancient Petroglyph Trail In Hawaii
By Megan Shute|Published May 09, 2019
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Megan Shute
Author
With more than 10 years of experience as a professional writer, Megan holds a degree in Mass Media from her home state of Minnesota. After college, she chose to trade in her winter boots for slippahs and moved to the beautiful island of Oahu, where she has been living for more than five years. She lives on the west side but is constantly taking mini-road trips across the island and visits the neighboring islands whenever she can getaway. She loves hiking, snorkeling, locally-grown coffee, and finding the best acai bowl on Oahu.
The Hawaiian Islands are steeped in history, from the first Europeans visiting the islands in 1778 and the establishment of the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1795 to Hawaii’s admittance to the United States of America in 1959. But Hawaii’s history goes back much further than that, as evidenced by these petroglyphs found on the island of Maui. Let’s lace up those hiking boots and take a step back in time, shall we?
Petroglyphs offer a unique glimpse into the history of Hawaii, and the Olowalu Petroglyphs is one of the most easily accessible petroglyph sites on the island.
Nestled along a basalt cliff near the old sugar cane fields of West Maui, you can access this hidden historic gem along a quarter-mile dirt trail found off Highway 30.
The ki’i pohaku — or images carved in stone — are thought to tell the stories of ancient Hawaiian journeys and legends, and you’ll find vivid, beautiful drawings of human and animal figures as well as sails chiseled into the soft basalt cliffs more than 300 years ago.
While no one knows for sure what these images documented, or even if they were just idle doodles of that day, this little-known petroglyph site offers a unique glimpse into the history of Hawaii as well as this primitive art style.
The Lahaina Restoration Foundation was granted a least to the site in 1964 and built a wooden stairway and viewing platform, but it was demolished after vandalism to the drawings. The current trail leads to approximately 50 feet below the drawings, but even at this distance, they’re clearly visible to the naked eye and easily photographed.
Aside from the history you'll find at this one-of-a-kind destination, the views are pretty spectacular, too. You can even continue past Petroglyph Hill along two trails that lead into Olowalu and Launiupoko valleys.
To reach this historic site, park just beyond the water tower at the back of the Olowalu General Store and walk approximately 440 yards up a dirt road. Keep the cinder cone straight ahead of you as you follow the road, and bear left at the Olowalu Cultural Reserve sign.
Address: 820 Olowalu Village Road, Lahaina, HI, 96761
For more information, head to AllTrails.com. Have you experienced the fascinating history found along this trail? Sound off in the comments below.
This isn’t the only place you’ll find petroglyphs in the Aloha State. This petroglyph field found off a hiking trail on the northern coast of Hawaii Island is a true archaeological treasure.
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