Hiking Team: Dave Miller
Date: March 10, 2025
Rosie’s knee was hurting so she stayed in the car. I hiked this 1.6 mile out and back trail which was mostly hard black volcanic lava with occasional patches of black sand. It was rough on the knees and legs. A half mile onto the trail a very strong wind began blowing in my face along with blinding rain. Everywhere I looked was black lava rock. It was easy to get lost. I thought that perhaps the Hawaiian Gods were telling me to turn back. I said no way. This was a challenging and exciting adventure. Fortunately for me, up ahead were many ahu’s (stone cairns, which were stacks of black rock) marking the way. I finally came to a rectangular wooden boardwalk and the rain and winds stopped. As I walked around the boardwalk, on each side of me were thousands of very clear petroglyphs carved into the lava flow made by people between 1200 and 1450 AD. How the people lived in this harsh land was incredible. The design of each glyph (called piko puka) is as unique as the individual who created it. Some are carved deep, some shallow, others are more extravagant with many holes and circles providing a glimpse into their life experiences and their struggles. I eventually hiked back over the lava trail and as I crested a hill, I could see my lovely bride standing by the car worried and watching for my safe return.
