Historical Sites
Pu'uhonua o Honaunau and Lapakahi State Park
Hawai'i is rich in history. Pu'uhonua o Honaunau (The Place of Refuge) and Lapakahi are just two examples of the preservation of ancient Hawai'ian landmarks.
Pu'uhonua o Honaunau
Called the "Place of Refuge" by westerners, Pu'uhonua o Honaunau, National Historic Park, is actually a combination of a sacred royal grounds and a public community area.
The Royal Grounds, a home for Hawai'ian chiefs, was a sacred place, forbidden to commoners. It was kapu (taboo) for a commoner to look upon the ali'i (royalty), or to cast their shadow upon the Royal Grounds. The punishment for breaking a kapu was death. The preserved Royal Grounds at Pu'uhonua o Honaunau featured the royal fishponds, a reconstructed temple with ki'i statues standing guard, and an ancient Hawai'ian konane game board.
The pu'uhonua itself was a refuge for people who had broken a kapu. If you could safely reach the pu'uhonua you would be absolved of your crimes. What was once a furious swim to the place of refuge, possibly followed by enemy canoes, is now a popular snorkel spot.
Hale o Keawe temple
Pu'uhonua o Honaunau, Hawai'i (February 17th, '08)
Mum and Dad standing next to the ki'i statues
Pu'uhonua o Honaunau, Hawai'i (May 20th, '08)
Ki'i standing guard over the temple
Pu'uhonua o Honaunau, Hawai'i (February 17th, '08)
Papamu stone for playing konane
Pu'uhonua o Honaunau, Hawai'i (February 17th, '08)
Halau work structure
Pu'uhonua o Honaunau, Hawai'i (February 17th, '08)
Dad and I snorkel by the Place of Refuge
Pu'uhonua o Honaunau, Hawai'i (May 20th, '08)
Lapakahi State Park
My sister and I visited Lapakahi State Park, an extensive and ancient Hawai'ian fishing village north of Kailua-Kona on the Kohala coast.
Ami and I inside a reconstructed building in the Lapakahi fishing village
Lapakahi State Park, Hawai'i (April 6th, '08)
Ami and I look out over the ancient fishing village
Lapakahi State Park, Hawai'i (April 6th, '08)