Pu'u Loa Petroglyph Field
Photo: Charles J. Sharp, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Pu'u Loa Petroglyph Field, located within Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island, contains an estimated 23,000 petroglyphs carved into smooth pahoehoe lava flows. This sacred site spans approximately 233 acres and represents the largest concentration of petroglyphs in Hawaii, with images ranging from simple dots and circles to complex human and animal figures. The field sits atop hardened lava flows that date back roughly 500-1,500 years, creating a natural canvas that native Hawaiians used for centuries to record births, mark spiritual journeys, and preserve cultural knowledge. Today, visitors can observe thousands of these ancient carvings while walking along a designated boardwalk trail that protects the fragile lava surface.
Timeline
Native Hawaiians begin creating petroglyphs on the pahoehoe lava flows at Pu'u Loa
European contact begins, marking the end of the major petroglyph-making period
Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park established, providing protection for the petroglyph field
Archaeological surveys document and catalog the extensive petroglyph collection
What the Show Claims
- ›The concentric-circle petroglyphs at Pu'u Loa are portal symbols identical to those found in the American Southwest and Easter Island, suggesting ancient extraterrestrial contactS14E12
- ›The petroglyphs document an ancient interdimensional gateway used by extraterrestrial visitorsS14E12
- ›The patterns represent star maps or celestial navigation tools left by ancient astronautsS14E12
Theorist Takes
“You see this in the American Southwest, where, in fact, the American Indians call these portals. Where you have concentric circles are going around, uh, sometimes a spiral, and for them, it is also... it's an energy field, a-a portal to other dimensions.”
From the Transcripts
“At Pu'u Loa, over 23,000 individual works of art stretch over several miles of rocky terrain.”
What Archaeology Says
Archaeological research at Pu'u Loa has revealed a complex system of cultural practices centered around birth rituals and spiritual connections to the land. The site's name translates to "long hill" in Hawaiian, and traditional accounts describe families bringing newborns here to place their piko (umbilical cords) in specially carved cupules or small circular depressions in the lava rock. This practice was believed to create a spiritual bond between the child and the sacred landscape, ensuring the infant would return to Hawaii throughout their life.
The petroglyphs themselves display remarkable variety, from simple dots and circles to elaborate human figures, canoe designs, and geometric patterns. Many of the concentric circles that attract theorist attention are actually these piko holes, created by families over many generations. Researchers have noted that the petroglyphs cluster in specific areas, suggesting designated family or clan territories within the larger field.
Modern archaeological consensus interprets Pu'u Loa as a sacred landscape where native Hawaiians practiced important cultural rituals for approximately 500-800 years before European contact. The smooth pahoehoe lava provided an ideal surface for carving, and the site's elevated position offered spiritual significance as a place between earth and sky. Carbon dating of organic materials found in association with some petroglyphs supports the timeline of creation spanning from roughly 1200 AD through the late 18th century.
What remains genuinely intriguing is the sophisticated understanding of the site's geological stability demonstrated by ancient carvers, who selected areas of lava flow that would preserve their work for centuries. Some of the more complex geometric patterns continue to puzzle researchers, though most interpret them within the context of Hawaiian cosmology and navigation traditions rather than extraterrestrial influence.
Mysteries & Fun Facts
The site contains an estimated 23,000 individual petroglyphs, making it one of the largest petroglyph fields in Polynesia
Many of the circular depressions were created to hold piko (umbilical cords) of newborn children, linking them spiritually to the land
The smooth pahoehoe lava surface was formed by volcanic activity that occurred between 500-1,500 years ago
Some petroglyph figures appear to depict sailing canoes, possibly recording important voyages or navigation knowledge
Planning a Visit
The petroglyph field is accessible via a 1.4-mile round-trip trail from Chain of Craters Road within Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. A wooden boardwalk protects the fragile lava surface while providing excellent viewing opportunities for the ancient carvings, and interpretive signs along the trail explain the cultural significance of the petroglyphs.
Hilo, approximately 30 miles northeast of the site.
Early morning or late afternoon visits offer the best lighting conditions for viewing the petroglyphs, as angled sunlight creates shadows that make the carvings more visible. The dry season from April through October generally provides the most comfortable hiking conditions.