Puako Petroglyph Preserve via Malama Trail

The Puako Petroglyph Park is an area composed of about 3000 examples of petroglyph rock art created by Hawaiians sometime between 1000-1800 AD. The petroglyph collection is one of, if not the largest rock art site in the Pacific. Those looking to see the stone carvings can reach it by a rough .6 mile trail near Holoholokai Beach Park north of the Kona area.Beginning beside a yellow sign at the end of Holoholokai Beach Park opposite the beach, a paved trail inland across a scattering of black lava rock. In about 500 feet, this ADA friendly path reaches a small collection of rock carving representations. While not authentic, this collection is to allow visitors to see hands on samples similar to the stone art lying at Puako Petroglyph Field and at other sites on the island such as Waikoloa Petroglyph Reserve.Those looking to follow the Malama Trail to view the fields of authentic petroglyphs can continue past this first gallery. Beyond here, the trail enters through a grove of trees. At this point, the trail is thorny and over rough lava rock, continuing about another half mile before emerging from the trees onto the stony landscape where railing soon reveals an observation point over a large flattish field of the rock art.The area contains around 3000 examples of Hawaiian rock art, at least 1200 of which are visible. Visitors can follow the footpath as it circles the main gallery, which opens up many more smaller areas where the artwork is visible.After viewing the artwork, hikers can walk back the way they came and return to the beach park and parking area.Water and bathrooms are available at the beach park. There are no amenities at any point along the hike. The trail is uneven, thorny and can be very rough - visitors should have appropriate footwear. Holoholokai Beach Park and the Malama Trail are open from 6:30am to 6:30pm daily.