After having executed the compulsory “tourist-y” journey into Lahaina on Maui, we selected out of doors actions for the subsequent day. Our subsequent tour could be to see the petroglyphs in Olowalu (which aren’t in any respect removed from the bustle of Lahaina). They’re estimated by scientists and cultural specialists and practitioners to be over 300 years previous. It’s a holy website. The markings had been created lengthy earlier than the arrival of Captain James Cook dinner within the Hawaiian Islands.
There have been a few major causes I needed to see the petroglyphs. First, I’m a proud historical past nerd who has spent most of his life residing in Hawaii (minus 3-5 years as a touring musician on the mainland). I’m not Native Hawaiian, however I used to be raised to respect and honor the tradition. I’m grateful for the privilege of rising up right here. I needed to see the cryptic glyphs for myself.
The opposite purpose is that the location was just lately and senselessly vandalized with paint-gun pellets in a juvenile, delinquent act of cultural violence. There’s a phrase in Hawaii used to establish infantile mischief: “Rattling keedz!” I needed to honor the work of the teams of volunteers who cleaned up the mess by appreciating the work of the individuals who created the 100-plus pictures centuries in the past.
It’s a brief, quarter-mile stroll alongside a nondescript grime street. We had been the one folks there throughout our go to. The petroglyphs are carved into an inaccessible cliff face. Particular hoists and cranes had been wanted to take away the disgraceful vandalization on the website.
A few of the figures are simply seen from a distance, hula dancers, maybe, or pictures of chiefs (ali’i) or representations of non secular entities. However in case you take your time and let your eyes regulate to the daylight and refined variations within the shade of the volcanic rock, many otherworldly pictures emerge: a crusing canoe with a spiral-like sail, a paddling canoe, a mysterious warrior determine.
Fortunately, not one of the historic figures had been affected. It made me marvel why. My guess is that the vandals themselves knew the gravity of their offense, of the grave menace of supernatural reprisal from their ‘aumakua (ancestral spirits). Dangerous mana, brah. That entire place is sacred.
The petroglyphs at Olowalu might technically be known as a “vacationer attraction”, however this a solemn cultural website. I used to be grateful that we had been capable of expertise it with no throng of vacationers milling round. It was quiet. Solely the tune of the wind and the stream that runs alongside the location might be heard. The significance of the location might be misplaced on anybody who can’t respect the cultural and non secular expertise locations prefer it supply. We agreed that there’s something vaguely spooky in regards to the website, however not in a menacing means. The peacefulness I felt there appeared a present that comes with one situation: respect. Ignore it at your peril.
After lunch we headed for the Nakelele Blow Gap. It’s a lava tube that shoots water excessive into the air repeatedly on account of its windward (and windy) location and near-constant ocean swell exercise. It’s situated on Maui’s jagged, inhospitable northwest coast. It’s an excellent hour’s drive from Lahaina, the final stretch of it very very like the well-known twisting Street to Hana. Indicators warn drivers to honk their horns when rounding the various hair-pin switchback turns resulting in Nakalele.
It’s a brief, steep, rocky hike all the way down to the tidal space that’s house to the blowhole. The climb again as much as the parking space might be difficult for folks with bodily limitations. However there’s a refreshment stand within the parking space to chill you off.
There have been 30-40 folks there once we arrived. Many had been milling in regards to the tidal space, harmlessly taking footage and selfies. A handful of foolhardy souls received dangerously near the blowhole. Water shoots from the lava tube with a blast as robust ten or twenty firehoses tied collectively.
I remembered the information a couple of years in the past of a customer to the same Halona Blowhole on Oahu, who died when the blowhole erupted, sending him 20 toes into the air and depositing him, head-first, straight again down into the blowhole. For sure, the vacationer didn’t survive. Ocean Security at close by Sandy seashore responded instantly, however their efforts to save lots of him weren’t sufficient to save lots of him from himself. Because the “youngs” say: SMH.
There aren’t any lifeguards at Nakalele. A harmful scenario can flip lethal within the blink of an eye fixed. There’s a distinction between a “rescue” and a “restoration”, the latter being the most probably end result for anybody who will get into hassle there.
We stored a secure distance. In case you go to see the Nakalele Blowhole, it is best to, too.
Posted by: Jamie Winpenny
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