Scrambling between weathered boulders on the desolate east coast of Lanai, I tried to imagine what this arid patch of land would have looked like 600 years ago. Who, I wondered, were the islanders who had stood here, carefully chiseling scenes from their everyday life into these rocks.

All around me, stick-like figures of men, women, animals, canoes and even surfers covered the rocks. I was thrilled at the beauty of these ancient drawings — and at my good fortune to have this close en-counter with Hawaii’s mysterious past.

The Lanai petroglyphs are just one example of Hawaii’s deep history and rich culture, which has a legacy rooted in Polynesian legend, royal chiefdoms and Western influences.

Here are more of the numerous cultural attractions throughout Hawaii.

Oahu

Iolani Palace
Completed in 1882, Iolani Palace was the official residence of Hawaii’s last two monarchs. It’s the only royal palace on U.S. soil.

Walking through the opulent Throne Room, State Dining Room and numerous reception rooms on the docent-led tour, it’s easy to envision the lavish parties given by King Kalakaua (nicknamed the “Merry Monarch”) that made it the center of social and political activity of the Kingdom of Hawaii.

Upstairs, visitors can peek into the king’s and the queen’s private apartments, furnished in mahogany and red upholstery; and the music room where the royals enjoyed and composed music. Then there’s the sparsely furnished, white-walled suite where Queen Liliuokalani (the king’s sister, successor and the last reigning monarch) was kept under house arrest following the overthrow of her government in 1893 by advocates of a republic for Hawaii.

Hawaiian quilting classes and free afternoon band concerts on the sacred grounds keep the history alive.

364 S. King St., Honolulu; (808) 522-0822 or www.iolanipalace.org

Kualoa Regional Park and Kualoa Ranch
At first glance, Kualoa seems like any other gorgeous Hawaiian beach. But Kualoa Regional Park, on Oahu’s northeast coast 45 minutes from Waikiki, was one of Oahu’s most sacred spots, according to Hawaiian cultural expert Cy M. Bridges. Kualoa means “long ancestral background.” The area was an ancient “place of refuge, ” providing a haven from execution, as well as a training ground for royal children.

Oahu’s largest ancient fish pond, built 800 years ago, stretches the length of the park. According to legend, the offshore islet of Mokolii (also called Chinaman’s Hat) is the tail fluke of a dragon killed by the goddess Hi’iaka. The dragon’s body is the flat land of the historic Kualoa Ranch, which adjoins the park and is open to the public.

Inside the ranch, visitors can view the ruins of the 1863 sugar mill, learn about local legends and history at the visitors’ center and and take guided tours. If the landscape looks strangely familiar, it’s because scenes from “Jurassic Park” were filmed here.

(800) 231-7321 or www.kualoaranch.com

Kauai

Kokee State Park
Postcard views, eerie legends and a royal festival reward visitors who take the 90-minute drive from the Lihue Airport into Kauai’s rugged northwest interior. Pullouts along the twisty highway showcase the vistas that earned Kauai its “garden island” nickname.

By day, Kanaloahuluhulu Meadow is a focal point of cultural and nature activities. But after dark, folklore abounds. The meadow is named after a hairy, headless giant, and legend says that no trees grow on the meadow because at night the giant’s ghost haunts the grassy clearing looking for his head.

Kauai’s flora and fauna are explained at the Kokee Natural History Museum, which features guided hikes into the shadowed Alakai Swamp as well as birding and craft classes.

In October, the meadow reverberates with ancient chants, hulas and courtly pageantry during the Eo e Emalani i Alakai Festival. It commemorates Queen Emma’s 1871 journey into the mountains to see the same views that thrill today’s visitors. Kokee State Park is situated on a plateau between 3,200 and 4,200 feet. Temperatures average 45 to 65 degrees, so dress warmly.

www.kokee.org or www.aloha.net/ ~inazoo/kokee.htm

Maui

provided by HVCB

“Ulalena”
Hawaii’s history and legends come to life in this live Cirque du Soleil-style show named after a twilight wind unique to Maui. Flamboyant costumes, lighting and stage designs help re-create the spirit-filled landscape as seen through the eyes of ancient storytellers. The combination of traditional Butoh performance theater, acrobatic feats, hula and modern dance, ancient chants and original music turn Hawaii’s tales of supernatural beings, conquerors and the Western coming-of-age era into lively entertainment for all ages.

Maui Theatre, 878 Front St., Lahaina;
(877) 688-4800 or www.ulalena.com

In 1790, the bodies of fallen warriors clogged the now beautiful Iao Stream.

Iao Valley
This lush, peaceful valley, surrounded by mile-high peaks in Maui’s western interior about 40 minutes from Lahaina, wasn’t always so serene. In 1790, the emerald landscape was the site of one of Hawaii’s most famous battles when King Kamehameha’s warriors defeated the fierce legions of the son of the Maui Chief Kahekili.

The conquest was a turning point in Kamehameha’s unification of the islands, but the carnage was massive. The bodies of thousands of fallen warriors clogged the now beautiful Iao Stream and it became known as Kepaniwai or “water dam.”

The valley’s Kepaniwai Heritage Gardens commemorate Maui’s peaceful multicultural heritage with traditional structures, including a Japanese teahouse, a Hawaiian hale and a New England-style saltbox dwelling.

Deeper into Iao Valley State Park, the “Iao Needle,” a natural rock pillar rising 1,200 feet, was formerly used as a natural altar.

(808) 984-8111 or www.hawaiiweb.com/maui/html/sites/ kepaniwai_park_heritage_gardens.html

King’s Cottage Tasting Room at Maui’s Winery Cottage When King Kalakaua wasn’t at Iolani Palace, the 19th century monarch was often at his vacation cottage on the Rose Ranch. Famous for his lavish parties and for reviving the hula, the king might be pleased that his restored 1874 cottage is the tasting room for Maui’s only commercial winery, Tedeschi Vineyards.

Located about an hour’s drive from Lahaina, centuries-old trees shade the cottage and large lawn, where hula dancers entertained the king. The cottage’s History Room details the significance of the property, now called Ulupalakua Ranch. Dating from 1845, it was one of Hawaii’s most renowned sugar plantations. Photos show the original paniolo (Hawaiian cowboys) and guests, including author Robert Louis Stevenson and World War II hero Gen. George S. Patton, who is said to have ridden horseback through the ranch house as a prank.

Visitors now tour the building while sipping Tedeschi’s many vintages, including Maui Blanc, a semi-dry white wine made from pineapples, and Maui Brut sparkling wine, which was served at the inauguration of President Reagan.

(808) 878-6058 or www.mauiwine.com

For more information about Maui's cultural activities visit, www.visitmaui.com.

Lanai

Ancient petroglyphs
Lanai’s beautifully preserved petroglyphs offer an up-close view of history. Dating from the 15th century, experts guess that the figures of families, hunting parties, men, women, animals, canoes, warriors and even surfers were drawn to document experiences and special occasions. But the real meaning is lost in time. Visitors can draw their own conclusions at two magnificent sites.

Down a ravine on Lanai’s lonely, windswept north coast about 13 miles from Lanai City, the Shipwreck Beach Petroglyphs cover many rocks. Locals call them “The Bird Man of Lanai” because some figures have strange bird-like heads.

On the south end of Lanai in the foothills of the Palawai caldera near Manele Bay, the Luahiwa Petroglyphs include hundreds of rock carvings scattered across 3 acres. Neither site is marked, and rutted dirt roads make this a four-wheel adventure.

www.alohafriendsphotos.com/Lanai_petroglyphs2.html and www.alternative-Hawaii.com/ special/lans.htm

Big Island

Ancient Royal Fish Ponds
These ancient wonders, many of which are still in use, are visible from atop the narrow rock walls that separate the saltwater ponds from the open sea. The sluice gates, made from woven vines, are just wide enough to let young fish swim in at high tide and prevent bigger fish from swimming out.

Built centuries ago to ensure that Hawaii’s royal families would never go hungry on their travels, the ponds were taboo to non-royals. Commoners who ate the royal catch were executed. Among the best preserved are the seven huge Kalahuipuaa Fish Ponds at the Mauna Lani Resort, which may date from 250 BC. Framed by paradise-like gardens, the ponds contain schools of mullet and milkfish carefully tended as in the days of old. The Kuualii and Kahapapa Fish Ponds at the nearby Marriott Waikoloa Beach Resort are also beautifully kept and feature the ruins of the fish keepers’ stone huts. Both are on the Kohala Coast. www.maunalani.com/r_hc_kalahuipuaa.htm Marriott Waikoloa Beach, (808) 886-6789 or www.waikoloabeachresort.com.

Puuhonua O Honaunau National Historic Park
In Hawaii, up until the 19th century, criminals, defeated warriors and anyone who had broken a kapu (ancient law) were safe from execution if they could make it to a puuhonua (place of refuge) before their enemies caught up with them.

Today, it’s easy to walk through the age-old 17-foot-thick Great Wall that guards Hawaii’s last intact puuhonua on the Big Island’s south Kona Coast. Inside, Hawaii’s past springs to life in authentically restored shrines, houses and the Hale-o-Keawe temple that housed the deified bones of King Kamehameha’s royal ancestors.

(808) 328-2326 or www.nps.gov/puho/

Barbara Beckley is a freelance writer based in Alhambra.

Top photo: Iolani Palace

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