White Rock Graffiti on Black Lava
Have you been to Hawaii’s Big Island, also know as Kona or just “The Big Island”, and see a bunch of white coral rocks scattered throughout the lava? Often in the shape of animals, symbols or spelling out names? That is Hawaii’s form of Graffiti.
The white rocks show up well on the contract of the black lava fields, and this is nature friendly as oppose to something like spray paint. This graffiti was started by the native Hawaiians, however it has caught on with tourists.
Thinking of leaving your own mark? You can either buy bags of white rocks on the island, collect them on your walk, or rearrange rocks already there. Don’t worry about removing someone else’s graffiti, this is accepted by the locals and not considered disrespectful. Since much of the graffiti was left by tourist who already left the island they likely have a photo to remember it, plus they will not be back for a while. On the other hand if I see a really interesting design, or a memorial to one of the deceased I leave it alone.
One of my favorite pieces of graffiti was on an outcropping of lava that formed in the shape of an eagle, a white rock was placed where the eye of the eagle would be, completing the formation. While the lava is not hot, has it has been hardened for quite sometime now, it is important to watch your footing, as it is uneven and easy to lose your balance on.
