Graffiti found on sacred mountain in Hawaii

Graffiti has been painted on rocks within a protected area on one of Hawaii's most revered mountains.

The rocks were defaced in the Mauna Kea Ice Age Reserve, an area on Mauna Kea's southern slope protected by the state, according to the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources.

The department said graffiti was also found on other parts of Mauna Kea property managed by the University of Hawaii Office of Mauna Kea Management.

A photo released by the department shows two adjacent rocks painted with the words "stop" and "bombing".

Mauna Kea is considered a sacred mountain by many native Hawaiians because it is thought to be the home of deities.

AP