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Step back
in time to a sanctuary of Hawaii’s past
where traditional Hawaiian lifestyle is
preserved. Ancient temples and ki’i
(wooden images) whisper stories from the
past. This place provided refuge
to Hawaiians who came here. Today, the
park continues as a sanctuary for
visitors seeking a peaceful place and as
a safe haven for all of the native
wildlife living here.
Pu’uhonua o Honaunau (poo-oo-ho-noo-ah o
hoe-now-now), formerly known as Place of
Refuge at Honaunau, is an incredibly
beautiful and educational experience
that no trip to the Big Island should be
without. Arriving here, you are
transplanted into the world of the
ancient Hawaiians. You are walking on
the grounds were generations of ali'i
(ruling class) Hawaiians lived and
worked.
You can
follow a map provided at the entrance
which describes all the sights you will
see from ancient games to canoe building
and shelters. The ancient Hawaiians
lived by a strict code called the "kapu"
system. There were many rules a few
being that men and women could not eat
together and a common person could not
stand in the shadow of an ali'i. If a
person broke a kapu the punishment could
be death. However, the rule-breaker did
have one sliver of hope. If they could
make it past the armed guards and to the
temple at Honaunau they could be
cleansed by a priest and the sin
forgiven.
Now a reconstruction of this temple sits
on the edge of the sea at Honaunau in
the same place it was hundreds of years
ago and where the bones of many kahunas
were buried. Solemn tikis guard the
perimeter.
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