Olowalu Petroglyphs Vandalized, Paintball Markings Left Across Cliff Face

“From a distance, it appears a flock of birds left their collective droppings all over a cliff face that holds some of the finest examples of Hawaiian petroglyphs,” state officials said. The petroglyph site, known as Pu’u Kilea, holds about 100 petroglyphs on the face of the basalt cliff in the Olowalu Valley and was vandalized recently with paintball shots splattered across the cultural treasure. 

The DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement was notified of the vandalism last Tuesday, after someone reportedly shot a paintball gun, leaving light colored paint marks across the dark cliff. Now, officers are asking for help to try and identify the person or persons who damaged this important cultural site. 

“I would guess several hundred paintballs were shot at this historical site,” said DOCARE Lt. John Yamamoto. He said the “attack” appeared random and the paintball gun was likely fired from down on the road. “White and yellow splotches of paint are spread across nearly the entire cliff face from the top to the base and from one side to the other. A great battle happened in this Ahupuaʻa and it’s hurtful to see this kind of disrespect for our culture,” he added. 

DLNR referenced online accounts noting that, in 1790, an American ship opened fire on Hawaiian canoes. “More than 100 men were killed and another 200 were hurt. The massacre led to retribution when the next western ship arrived and its entire crew was attacked and killed, except for one man, who later became an advisor to King Kamehameha the Great,” state officials recounted.

The Pu‘u Kilea petroglyphs include human and animal figures, canoes and sails. The site has been vandalized in the past with graffiti and state officials say, “unfortunately the paintballs landed on some of the petroglyphs.”

The images, or ki’i pōhaku, chiseled into the rock are estimated to be more than 300-years-old. The petroglyphs are believed to represent stories of the past.

Lt. Yamamoto said hopes anyone with any information will come forward. “This is so sad to see. Like many others, I visited this place when I was a young boy,” he said.

The vandal(s) could face charges of criminal property damage, in addition to civil penalties.

Anyone with information can call DLNR here on Maui at 873-3990.  Anonymous tips can also be called in to the 24-hour DOCARE hotline at 643-DLNR (3567) or via the DLNRTip app, downloadable for free on Android and Apple devices.