Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historic Park - Big Island, Hawaii
Pictures and visitor
info from a trip to the Puuhonua o Honaunau Place of Refuge National Historic
Park, Big Island.
By Paul B. Michaels Author & Photographer Auto Mechanic Since 1989 |
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 Historical Artifacts |
 Hawaiian Artwork & Crafts |
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| Pu'uhonua
o Honaunau National Historic Park covers 180 acres of sacred
Hawaiian land that used to be the home of chiefs and a place of
refuge for ancient law-breakers. We were in the area to go snorkeling in Honaunau Bay at nearby "Two-Steps" and couldn't resist visiting the park to learn more about Hawaii's history. To reach the park, take Hwy 11 south about 20 miles from the Kailua-Kona area and turn right at the Honaunau Post office on to Hwy 160. After about 3.5 miles, turn left into the park when you see the sign. The admission fee is $5 per vehicle with a maximum of eight people inside. Visitors are welcome at the park from 7 AM to 7 PM daily. The Visitor Center is open from 8:45 AM to 4:30 PM daily. To reach the staff by phone, call (808) 328-2326. |
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 Ancient Hawaiian Life Scene |
 Big Island Topography |
 Palace Grounds |
| Some of the features of the Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historic Park include educational exhibits, the Keoua Stone (chief's resting place), ancient fishponds, a "heiau" sacred temple, the Keoneele Cove royal canoe landing area, a halau thatched labor house, the Great Wall made of lava rocks, and a variety of wood carved "Ki'i" statues that represent the gods. | ||
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| This area is known as "a place of refuge" because ancient Hawaiians that violated one of the sacred laws, known as "kapu" (taboo), could flee here to avoid being executed. A priest or "kahuna" would perform a ceremony and absolve the offender of their wrong doing. | ||
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 Tall Royal Palms |
 Volcanic Rock Walls |
 Honaunau Bay |
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 Konane Board (Checkers) |
 Ki'i Wooden Idol |
 Ancient God Carving |
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 Hawaiian Village |
 Salt & Pepper Sand Beach |
 Keone'ele Cove |
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 Temple Building |
 Carved Wood Statues |
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 Snorkelers At "Two Steps" |
 Hand Carved Wood Canoe |
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 Hawaiian Reef Fish Guide |
| For more of my Hawaiian vacation pictures, click on the following links: Kona Comfort Vacation Rental, A-Bay Beach Snorkeling, Akaka Falls State Park, Coconut Island State Park- Hilo Bay, Green Sand Beach - South Point, Hapuna Beach State Park, Holoholokai Beach Park, Ho'okena Beach Park Snorkeling, Hwy 19 Lava Cave - North Kona, Hwy 19 - Kona, Honokohau Marina - Kailua-Kona, Kahaluu Beach Park, Kona Brewing Co. Brewery Tour, Manini Beach Snorkeling - Napoopoo Park, Kekaha Kai State Park, Mauna Kea Beach Snorkeling, Pana'ewa Rainforest Zoo & Gardens - Hilo, Pua Mau Place Botanical Garden, Pu'ukohola Heiau National Historic Site, Queen Lili'uokalani Park & Japanese Gardens, Rainbow Falls - Wailuku River State Park, Safari Helicopters Volcanic Activity & Waterfalls Tour, Spencer Beach Park, Two Step Snorkeling - Honaunau Bay, Waialea Bay 69 Beach Snorkeling, Waipio Valley Lookout, and Kuhio Beach Park - Waikiki. | ||