A rare set of Indigenous carvings reappeared after nearly a decade, stretching across a Hawaiian beach just long enough to leave experts and locals stunned.

The waves pulled back. The sand thinned. And there they were again — ancient carvings in stone, weathered by centuries, staring up from a beach in Waianae. Nearly 1,000 years old, the petroglyphs reemerged this month on the Hawaiian island of Oahu, marking only the second time they’ve been clearly visible in modern memory.

A mysterious reappearance after nearly a decade

The first time anyone reported seeing these petroglyphs was in 2016 — and even then, it was by chance. Two tourists strolling along the shoreline happened upon what looked like etchings in the rock. Just days later, they vanished again beneath the shifting sands.

This time, though, the conditions lined up once more. Recent tides washed away enough sediment to expose a long stretch of carvings — 26 in total — etched into the bedrock and spanning more than 100 feet of beach.

Archaeologists believe they depict human figures, some standing, some possibly dancing, and others engaged in unknown rituals. A few are barely visible. Others are startlingly clear.

“They look like they could stand up and walk away,” one onlooker said.

What are these petroglyphs, and who made them?

These aren’t just pretty pictures.

Petroglyphs — k’i’i pohaku in Hawaiian — are sacred expressions of genealogy, navigation, ritual, and memory. Carved by native Hawaiians centuries ago, they’re often found near trails, lava flows, or ceremonial spaces.

In this case, the beach at Waianae wasn’t just a random canvas. It was likely a gathering place or perhaps even a resting point on ancient fishing or migration routes.

State officials estimate the carvings could date between 500 and 1,000 years old, based on stylistic similarities to other known sites across the islands. That places them long before European contact — a pure record of Indigenous presence.

Why now? And why here?

There’s no simple answer for why the petroglyphs have emerged again in 2025.

Some scientists credit seasonal changes in the surf. Others point to unusual weather patterns or erosion linked to nearby development. And then there are those who suggest something else entirely — a message.

For many native Hawaiians, these carvings carry mana, or spiritual energy. Their sudden reappearance isn’t coincidence, they say. It’s a sign.

“A lot of us believe they’re speaking,” said one local elder who asked not to be named. “The land is telling us something — and we need to listen.”

Whether metaphor or mysticism, the timing has raised eyebrows. The reappearance comes amid ongoing land disputes and broader conversations about cultural preservation across Hawaii.

Experts rushed to document the site before the tide took it back

The beach lies on property controlled by the U.S. Army, which cooperated with the State Historic Preservation Division to document the site when the carvings reemerged.

This time, researchers acted fast.

• 3D scans were conducted for the first time.

• Photogrammetry was used to digitally preserve the figures.

• Ground markers were placed to monitor changes over time.

Back in 2016, there wasn’t time for this kind of detailed analysis. The ocean took them back too quickly. Now, researchers hope the extra data will give them a better chance to study — and perhaps even predict — when and where more petroglyphs could surface.

The carvings stretch across more than 100 feet

Here’s a closer look at what’s been uncovered:

Some of the carvings are deeply etched, others worn to the edge of invisibility. But together, they form a chain — one that has likely existed just underfoot for centuries.

Local voices say the carvings carry more than just history

Beyond archaeological interest, the petroglyphs are part of a broader Hawaiian story. They’re personal. They’re living.

“A lot of our ancestors are in these stones,” said Leilani Keawe, a cultural practitioner in Waianae. “These are more than drawings. They’re records of who we are.”

She’s among those calling for restricted access to the site, not just to protect the carvings but to honor their spiritual meaning. Tourists have already begun flocking to the beach, some stepping too close.

“We don’t need fences,” she added. “We need respect.”