Tag Archives: Puako

Brush fire

On the dry (west) side of the island brush fires can be a problem. Just a few days ago, this fire started near the Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway, east of Puako. The fire jumped the highway and traffic was stopped for a couple of hours. In the photo, the highway can be seen to the left of the heaviest smoke.

Shortly after this fire occurred, a second brush fire sprang up alongside Māmalahoa Highway, a few miles inland. This too caused the road to be closed for a while. Since these two roads are a major part of the belt highway, which circles the island, traffic chaos ensued.

While some brush fires are the result of lightning, carelessness, or accidents, these two fires were probably deliberately set. Over the past few years there has been a spate of such incidents and no one has been caught or charged with arson. Unfortunately, I suspect that record will not change for the two most recent fires.

Puako Petroglyph Archaeological Preserve

Puako Petroglyphs
Puako Petroglyphs

Petroglyphs can be found at many places around the Big Island. The most extensive display is the Pu’u Loa field at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, but the Puako Petroglyph Archaeological Preserve also has numerous examples. More than 2,000 petroglyphs, dating back hundreds of years, have been identified. Not all are visible from the area where visitors can go.

Somewhat weirdly, the field is found on the north edge of Mauna Lani resort. This means that in order to see these examples of ancient Hawaiian history and culture, it’s necessary to drive through a swathe of condos and golf courses.

The bulk of the petroglyphs are found at the end of a hot, half-mile trail, bordered by kiawe trees, which are notorious for their long, sturdy, footwear-penetrating thorns. It’s an easy hike and well worth a visit if you have any sort of interest in the history of the island.

Puako Petroglyphs