Puako Petroglyphs EarthCache
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**************IMPORTANT: In order to claim this as "found", you must complete the logging requirements at the bottom of the page.****************This is not your typical geocache, it is an EarthCache, you will not be looking for a "cache container" rather, an EarthCache is designed to bring you to a geological feature. See http://www.earthcache.org/ for further details.
Puako Petroglyph Archaeological Preserve
ThePuakō Petroglyph Archaeological Preserve is a 233-acre preserve containing one of Hawaii's largest collections of rock art. There are more then 3,000 designs identified here! The preserve is located just north of the of the Mauna Lani resort. With a careful eye you can view 1,200 petroglyphs. The trail can be found by taking Highway 19 to the Mauna Lani Resort turnoff, proceeding toward the coast on North Kaniku Drive which ends at a parking lot and the Malama trailhead. The Mauna Lani Hotel has a map and brochure of the surrounding petroglyphs and offers guided tours with a Hawaiian historian about the property.
Take the 1 1/2 mile Malama trail to the protected petroglyph area. The first part of the trail is paved and winds through A'a lava flows. The latter part of the trail is unpaved, but is not difficult although you will want to wear sturdy shoes for walking on the hard lava. Be sure to bring water and to wear sunscreen.
Along the route are collections of stones with petroglyph carvings on them. Look carefully, many of the stones have eroded enough that the carvings are difficult to see. Ancient Hawaiians called their rock art "k'i'i pohaku", or "images in stone". Families were important to the native Hawaiians and are represented by the numerous figures of people, family groups, chiefs, dancers, and paddlers. Additional glyphs related to culture and every day living can be found such as turtles, dogs, birds, fish, tools, sails and deity symbols.
PLEASE be careful as you navigate through this Hawaiian cultural treasure. The petroglyphs are very fragile and can be easily damaged. There is a fenced in area to view a large area of carvings. Please respect the rules and stay outside of the fence! However, you can also view plenty of carvings up close along the trail or in the area surrounding the fence. People have made rock circles surrounding other carvings so you can get close but please don't touch or make rubbings. Even the oils left from touching the rocks are damaging. Be careful not to step on the petroglyphs or take rubbings as this can cause irreparable damage.
Out of all the Hawaiian Island, the Island of Hawaii contains the largest number of petroglyps in the state. Puakō is one of the largest collections with the Pu`uloa Petroglyphs located in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park being the largest. Petroglyphs on the Island are normally found on the smooth pahoehoe lava, along ancient trails the Hawaiians commonly use, on cliff faces, on on smooth interior cliff walls.
Erosion
What is erosion? Erosion is the process of the earth wearing away or breaking down. Water in it’s different forms are most often the cause of erosion. When water or other elements like air or pollution wear away at the earth it is called “weathering”. Even a large piece of bedrock can be made smaller over time by small pieces being worn away a bit at a time or even by chemical reactions taking place that loosen the bonds holding the rock together. While there are other types of erosion, here are some of the more common ways that our earth is worn away.
Water Erosion: As I said, water is the most common erosional agent and the most common way for it to do that is with running water in streams. According to Matt Rosenberg: “Streams erode their banks in three different ways: 1) the hydraulic action of the water itself moves the sediments, 2) water acts to corrode sediments by removing ions and dissolving them, and 3) particles in the water strike bedrock and erode it.” Water can also wear away at the soil and rock in the form of rain and snowfall or even with standing water.
Air Erosion: Erosion by wind is known as Aeolian (or Eolian) erosion (named after Aeolus, the Greek god of winds) and occurs almost always in deserts. Small particles of rock or soil can be carried away or moved as the wind blows on it. Aeolian erosion of sand in the desert is partially responsible for the formation of sand dunes.
Ice Erosions: This type is less common in Hawaii unless you go up to the top of the mountains. Water seeps into small spaces inside the rocks and soil, freezes and expands. This can be quite destructive! Glaciers are the largest forms of ice erosion. The large amounts of ice all in one place can dislodge and move very large rocks and carry them great distances.
Wave Erosion: This is another type of water erosion and it takes place in coastal areas where the waves are strong. Matt Rosenburg says: “The power of oceanic waves is awesome, large storm waves can produce 2000 pounds of pressure per square foot. The pure energy of waves along with the chemical content of the water is what erodes the rock of the coastline.” Wave erosion mostly moves sand along on the beach as the waves pick up pieces of sand and deposit them somewhere else. It also can beat against the rocks on the shore.
Biotic Weathering: “Bio” means life. So this type of weathering is the wearing down caused by plants, animals and other living organisms. The most common example of biotic weathering would be tree or other plant roots. Those roots dig deep into the cracks in a rock, creating a wedge that can widen and expand the cracks. It also provides more space for water to come in and do its damage at the same time. Other types of biotic weathering are digging animals, microscopic plants and animals, algae and fungi. Humans are living things so we fall into this category. And we do our fair share of damage too! Think of all of the trails worn into the brush or when the tops of the lava rock is worth smooth as we walk off trail to find geocaches (and other muggle activities).
Logging Requirements
Several places along the trail and in this cache description you will see the warning not to touch the petroglyphs. Why? Because these ancient carvings will erode away faster and then will be gone so others do not get to enjoy them. This EarthCache has been designed to help you consider the effects of erosion on these carvings.
To be able to claim this cache as "found" please send me a private message containing the answers to the following questions. Please do not include the answers in your log as it would spoil it for future finders. Please feel free to post pictures of the different petroglyphs or anything else that catches your fancy during your visit. Photos are certainly NOT a requirement but they are appreciated by the cache owner and can be helpful in proving that you visited the site should there be any doubt.
1. Follow the trail to the fenced and protected area. Along the way please observe some different examples of the carvings. Once you get to the protected area, observe the carvings inside of it. Is there a difference between them? What would have caused that difference? ***Please note, most people talk about the fake ones at the beginning of the trail. No, you have to look closely but there are glyphs all along the trail.****
2. Read the cache page regarding the different types of erosion. What type(s) of erosion is affecting these carvings? Please explain your answer.
3. Read the sign at the fenced area, what type of "representations" are here? Also, please finish the following: "You will see many of the petroglyphs have been destroyed. By taking rubbings and castings, a handful of people have _____________________."
Congratulations to RamblinGirl for being the FTF!
Additional Hints
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