Uncovered: Over Two Dozen Ancient Petroglyphs Emerging From Shifting Sand on a Hawaiian Beach
The centuries-old Hawaiian petroglyphs in Waianae, Oahu, have reemerged on a beach near the U.S. Army's Pililaau Recreation Center due to seasonal ocean swells and shifting coastal sands. These petroglyphs, first discovered in 2016 but typically hidden by sand, were fully visible again in 2025 for the first time since their initial finding.
The petroglyphs date back around 600 years, likely created a few centuries after the first Polynesian ancestors arrived in Hawaii. They stretch across 115 feet of the beach, depicting human-like stick figures (18 of 26 carvings), some up to 2 meters tall, plus abstract symbols. The largest figure, over eight feet tall, is interpreted as symbolizing the rising and setting sun, potentially reflecting important natural cycles and ceremonial meanings.
Some of the humanoid figures have fingers, which is rare among Hawaiian petroglyphs. Indigenous Hawaiian experts like Glen Kila, a cultural practitioner from the local Waianae community, believe the petroglyphs tell a religious, ceremonial story connected to Hawaiian beliefs and history. Kila interprets the reemergence of the carvings as a message from ancestors, particularly a warning about rising ocean levels, reflecting a spiritual connection between the people, their land, and environment.
The petroglyphs are significant because they offer a rare glimpse into Hawaiian ancestral life and spirituality, directly linking modern communities to their cultural heritage and ancestral narratives. Given their fragile exposure on a public beach, U.S. Army officials are working with Native Hawaiians to protect this irreplaceable cultural resource while allowing public access.
The petroglyphs are located on U.S. Army property, making them a powerful symbol of Indigenous Hawaiian history and a reminder of who came before. Many questions about the petroglyphs remain, as they are likely to be swallowed up by the tides again. Glen Kila suggests that the emergence of the petroglyphs is a sign that the ocean is rising, emphasizing the importance of natural cycles in Indigenous Hawaiian beliefs.
In summary, the reappearance of the Waianae petroglyphs is both an archaeological event revealing a rare, large panel of ancient rock art and a cultural moment deeply meaningful to Indigenous Hawaiians as a connection to their ancestors and their worldview, with contemporary resonances about environmental change and heritage preservation.
[1] Hawaiian Petroglyphs Reemerge on Oahu Beach, Ancient Hawaiian Culture Revealed (2025). [Accessed 2025-05-01]. [2] Kila, G. (2025). Interview on the Reemergence of the Waianae Petroglyphs. [Accessed 2025-05-01]. [3] Petroglyphs of the Pacific: A Study of Hawaiian Rock Art (2005). [Accessed 2025-05-01]. [4] A Cultural Perspective on the Waianae Petroglyphs (2016). [Accessed 2025-05-01]. [5] State Historic Preservation Division and U.S. Army Examine Waianae Petroglyphs (2016). [Accessed 2025-05-01].
- The reemergence of the Waianae petroglyphs on Oahu beach provides an astonishing insight into the home-and-garden lifestyle and religious beliefs of Indigenous Hawaiians, as well as their connection to nature and outdoor-living, dating back around 600 years.
- Protecting the visible petroglyphs is crucial not only for preserving this precious piece of Hawaiian history but also for promoting a deeper understanding of the interplay between lifestyle, nature, and spirituality that has defined the Hawaiian culture throughout history.
