Images from Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park, Hawai’i

In the past, Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park on the Big Island of Hawai’i was a “place of refuge” for islanders who had broken the kapu (sacred laws). Protected by Lono, the God of Life, this sanctuary protected anyone who could reach its borders, and no physical harm could come to them no matter the offense. Today, visitors can still feel the powers of Lono as they wander the grounds, experiencing the various spiritual sites the park is protecting. A short hike of two miles on the 1871 Trail will take you to the abandoned Kiʻilae Village, and/or you can enjoy snorkeling at Hōnaunau Bay’s “Two Step“ on an adjacent property. This is a must-see stop if you are visiting the Big Island.

Reconstructed Hale o Keawe Temple, guarded by carved wooden Kiʻi,
which held bones of high chiefs and warriors
Fish pond (caught in the ocean, placed here for easy harvest)
Outrigger canoe on Keone‘ele Cove
The Great Wall which separates the Royal Grounds from the Pu’uhonua (place of refuge)
Typical Hawai’ian structure
Carved wooden Kiʻi, which represent Hawai’ian gods
Kōnane, a Hawai’ian strategy game that resembles checkers
A hālau wa’a (canoe house)
Building an outrigger in the hālau wa’a
On the grounds of the Painted Church, a St. Benedict Roman Catholic Church built in 1842