Hawaiian Petroglyphs and Folklore

Petroglyphs on the Kohala Coast of Hawaii reveal the oldest forms of living expression. Etched into the pohoehoe lava, the drawings depict the life and history of the islands up though Captain Cook’s arrival in 1778.

The ancient Hawaiians referred to petroglyphs as ki‘i pōhaku (ki‘i means “image,” and pōhaku means “stone”). They date from the earliest Polynesian voyages. 

Today petroglyphs have become the only prehistoric art of the Hawaiian Islands not in museums, private collections, or hidden away in caves. 

Deciphering petroglyphs requires speculation. Some figures are simple stick drawings, others triangular torsos or anthropomorphic images.

Stick figures, legs straddled and figures with rounded bellies adorn the rocks. Others show a squatting position. Circular carvings, surrounded by concentric circles may represent family groups.

The artists pound and pecked the surface to make the imprints. Or, they used a hammer stone on the black lava (pahoehoe) that resembled elephant skin.

How did they travel over miles of lava and through a dense forest to carve images in such remote places?

The Kona Village site has 100 canoe-sail petroglyphs, as well as etchings of fishermen and turtles. Possibly the area served as a port?

Stories and folklore lurk around the site.

Apparitions known as Night Marchers or Hukai-po move to the beat of a drum. Some carry torches, some beat drums. Islanders say the Marchers roam through locations between the seashore and the mountains.

Speculation spurs creativity. Some believe the warriors march to or from battles. Others indicate they are high-ranking alii (rulers). Spirits guided the alii to new locations or welcomed warriors to battle. They still search for a way into the next world. 

Night Marchers float a few inches off the ground but manage to leave footprints in their paths. They bring heavy winds. Some foster game playing or revelry, mist or fog, and rain or high surf. 

Alleged marching sites include: Oahu's Pali Highway, The Kamehameha Schools campus and La Perouse Bay.

Locals say you should always show these warriors respect and never interrupt the procession.  If you happen upon them, you must crouch low to the ground, play dead and avoid eye contact. any sound or movement will attract their deadly glance. 

Night Marchers stay in their destination and don't deviate to haunt humans. Some say if you place leaves of ti around your home, it will keep them away from the area. 

Creative Write: Write to expand your the ideas of the petroglyths and folklore.