Place of Refuge

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Yesterday we drove out to Hōnaunau Bay to visit the Pu'uhonua o Hōnaunau National Park where the royal chiefs (ali'i) came ashore in the sheltered canoe landing and availability of fresh water. In this place, separated from the royal grounds by a massive wall was the Pu'uhonua, a place of refuge for defeated warriors, noncombatants in time of war, and those who violated kapu, the sacred laws. It was used as a place of refuge for centuries. In 1819, King Kamehameha II abolished traditional religious practices and many of the old sites and structures were destroyed or abandoned. This area was set aside in the 1920's as a county park and in 1961 became a national historic park to maintain a setting where old traditional Hawaiian ways continue in the modern world. It is believed to have been built in the early 1500's and served as a place where no blood could be shed. The photos reflect some of our self guided walk through t he park.

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