(Why does that not surprise me.)
Rather than use the traditional spray paint, it is local custom to gather coral from the sea and then drive up to highway, park on the shoulder or one of the stopoffs along the way, hike onto the lava fields and "write" things by placing the white coral on the black rock. It's scattered all up and down the Queen K Highway. I haven't participated as of yet, but I probably will before I go. It's an eco-friendly way to leave a personal stamp on this place: a little "I was here" offering. Plus, it's considered bad juju to mess with anyone else's work, so potentially the corals could remain in any given formation for who knows how long; I have seen one that spells out "Girls Week '05!"
I drive on the Queen K almost daily, since it's the way to all the places I work, so I have somewhat of a familiarity with the landscape and the coral words it whispers. About ten days ago, this one appeared, and I did a delighted little double take:
