Huge Waves Provide Rare Glimpse of Hawaiian Petroglyphs

The huge waves that hit Hawaii during the weather phenomena known as El Niño (El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO)) excite surfers and, on the odd occasion, rock art enthusiasts too. They know that when the waves are tall enough, there is a chance to catch a glimpse of some centuries-old petroglyphs. The window of opportunity is often short, this time it was only a day, but the appeal is all the greater for the intermittent peeps at the past.

Hawaii News Now reports that petroglyphs were spotted last week on Pine Trees Beach of the Big Island's Kona Coast. Resident Avi Salvio took pictures of two of the petroglyphs before they had disappeared under the sand again less than 24 hours later. “They're a really special thing to see, but they disappear really fast,” Salvio told the news agent.

One of the petroglyphs photographed on Pine Trees beach. (Avi Salvio)

Adam Salvio said that in 42 years, he's only seen the carvings four times. “As you're watching during the day the sand will cover them up and you try to sweep the sand off of them so they'll stay up a little longer.”