Ancient Hawaiian Carvings, Dating Back 5 Centuries, Reemerge on General Coastal Shoreline
Unveiled Ancestral Messages: The Return of Oahu's Petroglyphs
A series of ancient petroglyphs, carved into sandstone along Oahu's western shore near Pōkaʻī Bay, have reemerged, stirring a sense of cultural significance and urgency among Native Hawaiians and archaeologists alike.
These petroglyphs, dating back over a thousand years, are believed to hold deep cultural and historical significance, primarily as sacred ancestral messages and ceremonial religious stories. They depict human-like figures, some over 8 feet tall with uncommon detailing like fingers, etched into the rocky landscape.
According to Glen Kila, a Native Hawaiian cultural practitioner, the largest figure in the petroglyph panel represents the rising and setting of the sun, symbolizing religious and ceremonial themes. Kila believes that the reemergence of these petroglyphs signals an urgent message from the ancestors: "It's telling the community that the ocean is rising."
The petroglyphs serve as a powerful reminder of the enduring presence and cultural resilience of Native Hawaiians. Their reemergence due to natural tidal and sand shifts has sparked renewed community interest in preserving and protecting these sacred sites. The carvings validate Native Hawaiian heritage, connecting modern Hawaiians to their ancestors and ancestral land, especially since this area experienced historical displacement by the military in the 1930s.
Laura Gilda, an archaeologist with U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii, emphasizes the need for careful management to balance preservation and public access. "How much attention do you want to bring to this area? You don't really want people to go digging for them when they're not exposed," she said. "But they're certainly awesome to come and see on the public beachscape."
The ongoing relationship between the Native Hawaiian community and the land further underscores the importance of preserving these petroglyphs as a symbol of cultural resilience and identity. The involvement of both the U.S. Army and local Hawaiian cultural practitioners like Kila suggests a shift in how the military and the Hawaiian community are engaging with the island's cultural heritage.
With efforts underway to protect the petroglyphs, there is hope that the future of this historical site will be safeguarded. The petroglyphs are an important cultural link to the island's deep history and a visual representation of Hawaiian artistry. They have captured the imagination of those who have seen them, with visitors like John and Sandy Stone expressing a profound connection: "It was so interesting to touch them," said John Stone, "It felt interesting to kind of have a connection with the past like that."
For Native Hawaiians like Kila, the petroglyphs serve as a poignant reminder of their ancestral ties to the land, despite displacement. "We were proud and knew where we came from, so we never fostered any hatred for the military because one day we believed that the land will eventually return to us," Kila recalled.
The petroglyphs are located on a stretch of sandstone in Waianae, about an hour's drive from Honolulu. Seeing the petroglyphs feels like validation that our ancestors were from here, as Donald Kauliʻa, a Native Hawaiian born and raised in Waianae, pointed out.
The area around Waianae holds deep personal significance for Kila, whose ancestors were evicted from the land when the military took over the region in the 1930s. The petroglyphs were first spotted in 2016 and have intermittently reemerged since then. They may carry a religious or ceremonial message, tying them to the spiritual practices of the island's early inhabitants.
As these ancient carvings continue to surface and disappear with the changing tides, there is an increasing sense of urgency surrounding their preservation. This summer, the entire 115-foot-long panel of petroglyphs has been visible again, drawing a significant number of visitors to the beach. The petroglyphs are not just archaeological artifacts but living cultural symbols bridging past and present Native Hawaiian identity.
- Embracing a rich tapestry of Hawaii's heritage, the reemerged petroglyphs serve not only as a testament to ancient outdoor-living but also as a beacon of modern home-and-garden inspiration, linking the present to the past and affirming the indomitable spirit of the Hawaiian culture.
- Beyond their historical significance, these petroglyphs provide captivating visuals that transport contemporary viewers to the days of sacred ceremonies and outdoor-living, transforming the home-and-garden landscape into a sanctuary connecting past and present.
