Lines of Descent: Of Umbilical Cords, Ancestors and Ahupua'a

Abstract

This paper details the results of the 1989 and 1990 archaeological surveys in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park in which over 700 petroglyphs were mapped and recorded for the first time. The geographic location of the petroglyphs was found to be along or on both currently defined ahupua 'a boundaries (traditional Hawaiian land boundaries). This paper explores the significance of this finding and the importance of the god Lono in the arid region of the coastal Puna district where worship of this god of fertility and rain may have been linked to the piko ritual which was performed at sites within the Park.