Exploring and finding the Waipahu Petroglyphs

Waipahu Petroglyphs - November 4, 2017

I wanted to find these petroglyphs last year, however it took a post from Sarah on the OAG page to get me going. Daniel and Aprille did research and guessed that it was on Wainui Road. Based on that, we researched the area to find an access point. I thought we could access through Manager's Drive. Daniel felt we could access through Hahana Street. 

Sarah jump started the idea, but in the end she had something to do. Daniel was 99% in. Erik and Darren were in. David came last minute. Meeting time was at 9am at Waikele McDonald's. Bernice just showed up. I know she monitors the OAG page, but doesn't really say she is coming. Only maybe to Darren. We were going to park there, however security was stalking us. We jumped in our car and went to my mother's house in Waikele to park. 

We carpooled in Erik's truck. First point of interest was Hahana Street. We drove up the street to the cul de sac. There was a metal gate. Daniel said all we had to do was jump the metal fence and check out the rocks. Since our group was 6, we decided that it wouldn't be a good idea. Erik drove us to the second point of interest which was Waikele Stream. We parked in the residential and headed towards the bus stop. From the bus stop we dropped down into the stream. 

drop to the stream

I think everyone was scared that the water was nasty. But I assured them that the water was spring water. It probably wasn't, will see who gets staph. After walking in the water for about 5 minutes, Darren got frustrated and suggested we climb the embankment. We did. It let us right below the service road and a homeless trail. We followed the homeless trail to where Hahana Street ended based on our google maps. 

old barn on homeless trail

We made our way up to the service road. We checked the cliff area for some big rocks. Two big massive rocks loomed in front of us, but vegetation obstructed our view. We climbed up the slope to the rocks. It was about 5 minutes or so. There it was, just in front of that metal gate. The PETROGLYPHS! 

human

3 human stick figures

big rock with petroglyphs

before we left, found this one (hard to see)

The first two we saw were prominent. A figure of a dog and man. The rock to the left had a ton of pretroglyphs including 3 human figures and something else (I couldn't make out the drawing). We admired for about 15 minutes. Below a truck drove on the service road. I was hoah shit! But they couldn't see us. 

After some time we dropped down the slope, crossed the service road, and down the embankment to the homeless trail. Garbage everywhere, I tell you. 

Before we exited, Darren heard a car. We ducked. A car slowly drove pass. We exited without going through the stream. We felt victorious as we cleaned up and got into Erik's truck. It only took us less than 2 hours of exploring and that was counting the driving. 

Post Exploration Meal was at Tanioka's. It was busy, but not too busy. I got the tempura poke bowl. Erik drove us to Waikele Park and we ate, enjoying the time there. I joked that we have to bring beach chairs and a table because we are setting precedent.  The poke bowl was good, but I should have gotten the bento. Bernice gave me her chicken so all is good. 

Tanioka's

eating at Waikele Park

This one is done and I'm going to add it to my Ancient Sites of Oahu.