Our February 2014 tour of Hawai'i Island included a stop at Pu'uhonua O Hōnaunau National Historical Park. Situated on the shores of Hōnauna Bay, this 182 acre park preserves and interprets ancient Hawaiian archeological and cultural sites. With a fresh water source and a sheltered cove, this was an obvious location for the ali'i (royal chiefs) to take up residence. On the other side of the Great Wall was the pu'uhonua or place of refuge for defeated warriors, noncombatants and those who violated kapu or sacred laws. The wall was built around 1550 and the site was used until 1819 when Kamehameha II abolished traditional religious practices. Built around 1650, the Hale o Keawe is the newest heiau (temple) and honors the great-grandfather of Kamehameha I.
The visitor center includes a small bookstore, interpretive exhibits, offices and restrooms. A covered amphitheater nearby is used for ranger talks and demonstrations.
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| The large, paved parking area often fills up |
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| Open-air visitor center |
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| Artwork in the visitor center |
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| Covered amphitheater |
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| Sandy path over lava rocks |
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| Hale Kū’ai or house for storing, displaying and trading |
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| Hōnauna Bay |
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| Half-sized Hale o Keawe temple model |
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| Wooden Ki'i (image or statue) |
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| Kānoa (bowls carved into the rock) |
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| A tree mold in the lava |
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| Keone'ele cove was used as the royal canoe landing |
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| One end of the Great Wall and Hale o Keawe |
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| Another Ki'i faces the bay |
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| These two ki'i guard the pu'uhonua or place of refuge |
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| More ki'i stand watch over the temple |
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| Inside the pu'uhonua |
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| Rugged coast |
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| The Great Wall was up to 10 feet high and 17 feet thick |
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| According to Mark Twain, the Keōua Stone was the favorite resting place of Keōua, the high chief of Kona |
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| ‘Āle’ale’a – once the principal heiau (temple) for the pu’uhonua (place of refuge) |
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| Palm trees grow where sandy soil has been deposited |
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| Ancient lava fields dominate the landscape |
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| A gateway leads out of the pu'uhonua |
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| A fish pond in the royal village |
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| Another fish pond |
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| Outrigger canoe |
A $5 entrance fee at Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park is valid for seven consecutive days. Other entrance options include an America the Beautiful Annual Pass for $80 for twelve months or a Senior Pass for a one-time fee of $10 for those age 62 or over.
The park website is http://www.nps.gov/puho/index.htm.
John, You didn't mention "two-step," the fantastic snorkeling spot on the opposite side of the bay. Entrance is the little road just before the parking lot to Pu'uhonua. We love to snorkel there...colorful reefs, gorgeous fish, some canyons and, from time to time, dolphins out in the bay. It's called two-step because of the two steps (ledges) of lava rock that make it easy to get in and out of the water.
ReplyDeleteSusan, thanks for the snorkeling information. It seems there is always more to learn about a place than we have time to discover.
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