Waianae, Hawaii – Ancient Hawaiian petroglyphs, likely over 500 years old, have resurfaced on Oahu, revealed by seasonal ocean swells that have stripped away the sand concealing more than two dozen intriguing images of stick figure-like human forms.
The petroglyphs, located along a stretch of sandstone adorned with vivid neon-green algae, become visible during low tide. This is the first instance since they were initially discovered nine years ago by guests at a nearby U.S. Army recreation center, about an hour's drive from Honolulu, that the complete panel has been exposed.
Glen Kila, a Native Hawaiian cultural practitioner with ancestral ties to the coastal Hawaii community, believes the reappearance of these historic symbols is a message from his forebears. “It's telling the community that the ocean is rising,” said Kila, a recognized authority on Waianae's culture and history, currently advising the Army on preserving the petroglyphs.
The U.S. Army is tasked with preserving the petroglyphs while maintaining public access to the beach they inhabit.
Intrigued by a local TV feature on the petroglyphs, John and Sandy Stone made an early-morning half-hour journey from their home to view these historical carvings. “It was fascinating to touch them,” said John Stone, who divides his time between Hawaii and California. “It was connecting with the past in a unique way.”
Dating petroglyphs is a challenge, but one nearby archaeological site is estimated to be about 600 years old, according to Laura Gilda, an archaeologist with U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii. Kila suggests that Hawaiians settled in Waianae over a millennium ago.
The beach's changing profile, influenced by Pacific weather patterns, results in sand migration that periodically uncovers these petroglyphs. Sea waves between May and November cause sand to be redistributed, which likely facilitates their occasional exposure.
Archaeologists have identified 26 petroglyphs in total, with 18 anthropomorphic figures. Among these, eight appear distinctly male, while the rest are of indeterminate gender, detailed in an Army report. The entire petroglyph stretch spans approximately 115 feet (35 meters), Gilda noted.
The petroglyphs initially reemerged in July 2016, following storms, including hurricanes, in the late spring and early summer, which vigorously shifted sand and made them visible. Since their rediscovery, parts have occasionally resurfaced, but the entire panel hasn't been visible like this summer.
Kila’s interpretation, based on cultural teachings, suggests the petroglyphs recount a religious, ceremonial narrative. The largest figure with arms positioned differently possibly symbolizes the sun's cycle.
Reflecting on the past, Kila noted how the military claimed the area in the 1930s, displacing Native Hawaiians, including his ancestors. A land swap allowed his great-great-grandmother to remain near the bay.
In the Army's report, Kila recalled a television-free upbringing in Waianae, where the natural world served as their playground. The Army recreation center was typically off-limits, with a seawall marking the boundary between Native Hawaiians and military personnel. Even when faced with moments of conflict with military authority, including being harshly reprimanded for trespassing, Kila emphasized a lack of animosity, believing the land would someday return to its original custodians.
During a recent visit to the petroglyphs, Kila perceived a transformation in the relationship with the military, reflected in their initiatives to safeguard these carvings.
The challenge, according to Gilda, lies in striking a balance between sharing this cultural heritage with the public and preventing potential damage. "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, acknowledging their allure on a public beach setting.
With profound nostalgia, Donald Kaulia, a Native Hawaiian from Waianae, captured images of the petroglyphs, stating their presence affirms, “Our ancestors were from here.”
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