http://www.nps.gov/puho/index.htm Link to website.
On the west coast of the Island, is a site of great importance. In ancient times, commoners' lives were governed by the kapu system, There was a lot of laws to observe. Those of the lower classes weren't allowed to look or even walk on the same trails as the upper classes. If these laws were broken there was a penalty of death by several different means.
If a lawbreaker could elude his pursuer, he had one way out of his mess, the area's Pu'uhonua or place of refuge. This pre-designated area offered asylum. If you made it to this area and performed certain rituals, you were forgiven and could return home as if nothing had happened.
This site is the finest example of a place of refuge on any of the islands.
Hale o Keawe. Wooden images stand watch over the temple
offerings are given to the gods for giving safety.
A wall up to 10ft tall and 17ft thick made of stone carefully fitted together without any mortar was built around 1550, this was used to keep the royal inhabitants separate from the commoners.
Keoua Stone. Mark Twain reported in his letters that this stone was a favorite resting place of the high chief of Kona. Offerings are left on it today.
Keoua Stone. Mark Twain reported in his letters that this stone was a favorite resting place of the high chief of Kona. Offerings are left on it today.
This is a native Hawaiian maiden playing Konane. It is a traditional Hawaiian game made of pebbles. This maiden is an original inhabitant from the 1550 settlers.
We arrived here shortly before sunset as we were on the West coast, hoping to see the sun go down, and we were not disappointed. There was a slight haze over the water, but the sun showed itself as a red ball in the sky before plunging into the sea. As the sun was setting, a whale breached and then dived into the water infront of us, and a green turtle that had been swimming about in the bay waved a flipper at us. Another magical day.
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