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Olowalu Petroglyphs

TIME : 2016/2/18 10:53:25

A short walk behind the general store leads to petroglyphs (ancient Hawaiian stone carvings) dating back 200 to 300 years. To get to them, park just beyond the water tower at the back of the store. It’s a 440yd or so walk up an open road to the petroglyph site. The road is easy to follow; just keep the cinder cone straight ahead of you as you go. Bear left at the Olowalu Cultural Reserve sign.

As with most of Maui’s petroglyphs, these figures are carved into the vertical sides of cliffs (rather than on horizontal lava as they are on Hawaiʻi, the Big Island). Most of the Olowalu figures have been damaged, but you can still make out some of them. Don’t climb the rocks for a better look, however. And watch for falling rocks. There’s a picnic table and interpretive signage at the site.

If you have mobility issues it’s OK to drive to the site, instead of walking, but be respectful of neighboring landowners.