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Kona Village has carefully documented and preserved what is one of the best
petroglyph sites in the islands. 400 carvings etched in lava reveal an
informative insight into the life and times of early Hawaiians.A plaque
has been mounted at our petroglyph field in honor of a new boardwalk that
we've erected. The boardwalk serves to further preserve this site. It also
helps guests to get a better view of this ancient language of early Hawaiian
culture. In keeping with our indigenous architecture, the boardwalk is made
with ohi`a railings (a wood native to the island) and 1,500' of Douglas Fir.
Over 440 ki`i (carvings of pictures in stone) have been identified.
Eighty percent of these are contained within or near the new 5' x 700'
boardwalk. Five viewing platforms, measuring 12' x 12', allow viewers to
study and photograph the ki`i.
The dedication on the plaque reads, "We dedicate the Papa Ala Hele to
protect and preserve the Ki`i that was created by the ones who came before,
the ancient ones who found Ka`upulehu a place of value to have left a part
of their spiritual strength and power upon the land; to the children of
Hawai`i who might someday come to an understanding and appreciation of our
past; and to the Kona Village Ohana. Mahalo nui loa to Kona Village Resort
in their recognizing a place of value and spiritual strength."
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| Petroglyphs are very rarely found
at occupation sites. They generally are located away from prehistoric
villages, but they do seem to correlate to ritual and sacred areas. Some
appear to be associated with boundaries or trails, and some with burial
caves. Some petroglyphs were probably offerings to the gods, and the making
of them would have been accompanied by chanting and prayers. Petroglyphs
were still being carved at the time of contact with the Western world.
However, it is generally believed that the first Polynesian explorers who
came to these islands carved their sacred designs in the rocks -- and
probably did so soon after landing. The earliest dates are around 200 A.D.,
so we would expect that some of them date from that time.
Most Hawaiian petroglyphs depict human figures, but just because they
appear to us to be human figures doesn't mean that is what the prehistoric
Hawaiians intended. Many "human" figures may be depictions of concepts,
genealogical concerns or gods. Some were probably offerings to the gods.
Some petroglyphs you will see at Kona Village Resort include the
following:
- Sails within sails are common at Ka`upulehu. Some sails have an extra
curl and are surrounded by a curved shape and other lines. The remains of
a papamu are inside the circular area.
- Sails and what may represent adzes; one sail has pennant-like
extensions. The crudely pecked form on the edge of the larger sail may be
modern.
- A chiefly figure with a headdress is connected to a long fishing line
with hook and fish. The two odd shapes on either side of the anthropomorph
may represent kahili (feathered standards).
- A long complex panel with many sails and figures. Paddles and other
objects may also be seen. The elegantly ribbed sail has a fan-like
ornament at the top.
- Two examples of triangular-bodied figures at Ka`upulehu. One has
clearly indicated toes and an unusual treatment of arms.
- Some of the most curious petroglyph motifs consist of circles and
lines, some of which form anthropomorphic figures. These appear to be
older than most of the other motifs, due to their condition.
- A well-made turtle is associated with faint lines and shapes that are
not clear. Some letters can be made out, but the central part has been
damaged by heavy pecking.
- An unusual form resembling a fishtrap, previously thought to be unique
to Ka`upulehu, was recognized by Ed and Diane Stasack and State
Archaeologist Pat McCoy at a rock painting site high on Mauna Kea. The
rarity, yet marked similarity, of these images suggests some sort of tie
between the two places. Interestingly, while standing beside the Kona
Village fishtrap petroglyphs, one has a direct view to the Mauna Kea
pictograph site. The Stasacks and McCoy plan to co-author a paper on the
exciting possibilities this presents.
RECOMMENDED READING
- Cox, J. Halley and Edward Stasack. Hawaiian Petroglyphs. Bishop
Museum Special Publication 60, 1970.
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- Kirch, Patrick V. Feathered Gods and Fishhooks. University of
Hawaii Press, 1985.
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