Seeking Forgiveness At The Pu'uhonua

November 13, 2008 at 5:00 PM | by kjb | 0 Comments

Long ago in Hawaii, the kapu system of laws was pretty strict when it came to what was and wasn't allowed, and many things were punishable by death. Guilty parties were wise to try their best to make it to a Pu'uhonua, a place of refuge, to avoid nasty consequences while paying their debt to the community.

One such place is the Pu'uhonua o Honaunau, located south of Kailua-Kona on the Big Island's western coast. Here the National Park Service has preserved the area, offering a chance to see a massive ancient wall that separated the royal grounds from the areas open to commoners and many ki'i, or wooden icons, that would hold the bones of the ancient chiefs to provide spiritual strength to the area.

While experiencing some of the island's history, you can also walk in the sacred lands once reserved only for the highest officials. (Just remember to be respectful.) In addition to the culture, the grounds provide some of the best scenery we saw on the Big Island. Trees swayed in the breeze with ancient structures and clear ocean waters completing the scene. It's easy to see why the ancient Hawaiians picked this spot.

When you've had your fill of culture, leave your car in the parking lot and take a left just past the security guard's booth. A short stroll down a local street will bring you to an excellent snorkeling spot, Honaunau Bay, next to the place of refuge. On our visit there were abundant corals, fish and even a pod of Spinner Dolphins happy to put on a show for us.

Related Stories:
· Pu'uhonua o Honaunau [Official Site]
· Big Island Travel [Jaunted]

[Photo: kjb]

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