Petroglyphs, or stone inscriptions, were used in the times of ancient Hawaii to perpetuate culture, continue on legacies, and promote the telling of stories and generations in the absence of a written language. As Hawaiian is a spoken language only, petroglyphs were eventually designated in order to communicate and stay organized. Some of the most used petroglyphs include designs of turtles, canoes, people, instruments, and a number of other mysterious insignia. Similar to Egyptian paintings, the Hawaiian petroglyphs were used as markers as well as complete scenes to replicate or sometimes commemorate certain events. While the meaning of petroglyphs may not be fully understood, many people hypothesize that they were used to record births or deaths, rituals, major turning points in history such as wars and natural hazards, and other significant dates.

While the phenomenon can be observed at many pieces of Real estate on Big Island Hawaii, the Waikoloa Petroglyph Reserve along the King’s Trail is one of the best preserved and most visited. Just minutes from the Waikoloa Hotel and located along
the King’s Trail, the field of petroglyphs has captured a number of ancient Hawaii’s stories in the black lava rock fields that comprise the majority of Kona’s lands.