Olawalu Petroglyphs

Without a written language ancient Hawaiians recorded their thoughts by etching pictures into rock. These pictures, or petroglyphs, are found all over the Hawaiian Islands. Many examples are found on Maui, but most are on private land and not accessible to the public.

Maui Visitors traveling the road between Ma'alaea and Lahaina pass close by one of these sites. It's know as the Olowalu Petroglyphs. The 300-year-old stone carvings are engraved into the face of Pu'u Kilea, a volcanic cinder cone in the V-shaped Olowalu Valley. There are over a hundred individual petroglyphs, including a famous one of a man with a crab-claw sail head, various human figures (many with triangular bodies), dogs and sails.

The site once had a viewing platform to allow visitors a closer look at the pictures. Today because, of vandalism, the viewing platform has been allowed to deteriorate. A faded red metal handrail remains, but there is no safe access to it. So, view the petroglyphs from ground level.

Standard Directions: Turn mauka (towards the mountain) at the 15 mile marker on hwy 30. Drive across the gravel path to the frontage road behind the store and turn left. Drive about .1 mile until you see a road leading straight towards the mountain. You'll see a sign for the petroglyphs. Park here and walk the rest of the way. By the way, the sign says it's a 1/4 mile, it's really more like a 1/2 mile. You'll know you're at the site when you see the handrail along the cliff.

Alternate Directions: After I walked all the way to the site I noticed a paved road that passes nearby. It leads to a new sub-division. Here's how to find it. At mile 14.5 on hwy 30 look for Luawai Street. You'll see a sign for "Olowalu Mauka Subdivision." (Luawai Street is off the frontage road so you'll have to decide how to safely get there) Drive .5 mile along Luawai Street until you see a dirt road to the left. Park here. Walk about 100 feet towards the white building and you'll intersect the road to the petroglyphs. Turn right and you're nearly there.

We found the petroglyphs to be an interesting side trip. We hope you will too. Here's a few reminders:

• The petroglyphs are on private property, so permission to enter can be revoked at any time. Everyone's good behavior will help keep the site accessable.
• This is an irreplaceable historic site. Don't do anything to alter it.
• Be safe. Don't try to climb the cliff, it's not safe to do so.
• Public access ends at the petroglyphs, though the road continues.
• Don't leave any valuables in your car.

(This is an update of an article that first appeared in December 2007)