Mauna Lahilahi I: Ki'i Pōhaku, and a glimpse of the past.

[[ Part I of a III part post]]
Leeward side shenanigans lead us to Mauna Lahilahi.  In Hawaiian, Mauna Lahilahi(also known as Black Rock, Lahilahi Point, and Turtle Rock) translates to thin or flimsy mountain or hill. 

Petroglyphs // Ki'i Pōhaku (Ki'i meaning image and pōhaku meaning rock in Hawaiian)
noun a rock carving, especially a prehistoric one.

A piece of Hawaiian culture frozen in time surrounds this west side peninsula.  Possibly Post-Cook (1778 CE and beyond) petroglyphs of the ancient Hawaiians adorn the massive boulders here(I only say this because the petroglyphs are usually categorized by the figures having a distinct anthropomorphic profile rather than the linear petroglyphs seen from the Pre-Cook era of the carvings representing a more self-aware state).  After going over a radio carbon dating performed on similar types of Hawaiian petroglyphs as well as an in depth analysis of styles carried out by a research group at UH Mānoa, I believe they could also range anywhere from 1660 CE to roughly 1800 CE(basing this assumption on the appearance of words and inscriptions starting at this time).  However, as it is widely known, petroglyphs can be challenging and sometimes seemingly impossible to date.  On the side of Mauna Lahilahi beach a total of 26 petroglyphs, mostly of humans and some animals can be found.  What's left of a Ko'a(fishing shrine) and possibly a Hale Mua(men's eating house) or Hei'au(place of worship) rest on the side adjoining Papaoneone beach.  The reinterred remains of an ancient Hawaiian female was discovered here in 1990, I'm unsure of the exact location and am unsure as to why researchers would be so grossly negligent in the documentation of this information.  The lack of signage or any efforts at preservation of this site is disconcerting.

Don't make a mockery of the petroglyphs or defile the site with shit like this, it's painfully disrespectful to an already dwindling culture.

I'm not sure why people think this is okay.

Now, for the shit no one wants to talk about and a few tips for when you go out there:

• The homeless encampments have doubled in the past year here.  It's a really shitty thing to see.  I'm not sure what struggles these people are facing, but please be respectful.  Don't go around recording yourself giving them meals or money just so you can get recognition on Hungry Hungry Hawaiian, you're embarrassing yourself and these people.  If you want to do something good just do it without the need for validation.  Anyways, before I go on a long rant with that being said.....
• Watch out for the "ride bikes, smoke ice" unkos and auntehs!  
• Have fun, and bring sunscreen.  Remember a lot of melanin does not protect from the UV rays & MELANOMA, so bring your sunscreen no matter how lusciously bronze you are.
• Again, don't disrespect the site by leaving trash, touching, or moving the stones at the hei'au or where the petroglyphs are.  Don't take rubbings of the petroglyphs either; it accelerates the erosion.

If anyone could drop some more historical information of the place and petroglyphs shown in the comments below I'd greatly appreciate it!

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