Honaunau Pt. 2

Like I stated in the previous post, Honaunau is a really unique spot on the Big Island. While walking around and checking things out, one can really get caught up in imagining some of the things that took place here. Besides it's stunning beauty, the history is incredible.

Hawaii once had a system of extensive laws, or "kapu." Some of the laws were as follows:

• no man and women could eat together, nor could their food even be prepared in the same place
• members of the lower class could not walk on, or even LOOK AT the same walking trails as the higher class
• commoners could not speak to a chief, or "Ali'i," nor could their shadow fall across an Ali'i's shadow.

These are just a few, but you get the idea. The penalty for breaking this kapu was almost always death. You had a choice, either by fire, club, spear, or strangulation. Hawaiians believed that the Gods would not tolerate misbehaivor, and punishment came in the form of earthquakes, lava eruptions, tidal waves, etc.. So they were quick to exterminate any law breaking citizens. Sometimes, if the crime was bad enough, the criminals ENTIRE family was executed. Horrible, huh?

So what makes this place such a historic one is the fact that it was considered a "home-base" if you will. If a lawbreaker could make his way to this place of refuge before his pursuers could catch him, he was FREE! Here the "kahuna pule" (priest) would mandate certain rituals. After the escapee satisfied everything, he was free to leave, and the Gods would have forgiven him. Defeated warriors could also come here to await the victor of a battle. They could then pledge their allegiance to whoever won and live out their lives in peace.

This re-constructed thatched structure called Hale-o-Keawe ws originally a mausoleum, containing the bones of 23 chiefs. Bones were thought to contain supernatural power, or mana, and therefore ensured that the Place of Refuge would remain sacred. The wall you see to the left of the structure is called the Great Wall. It was built in the 1500's, ans is 1000ft long, 10 ft. high and 17ft thick in most places. It separated the Pu'uhonua and the Ali'i's palace grounds. The wall was made from un-cut lava rocks and no mortar, which I found amazing.

Around the structure are several hand carved statues of Gods, which are really cool looking and must have taken a long time and a skilled hand to create. There is also a large rock nearby that has a neat story. Supposedly one of King Kamehameha's wives (his favorite one) escaped to the Place of Refuge by swimming across the bay after an argument. She hid under this rock until he found her a little while later, and soon after they apologized and made up. The bay is beautiful, and it may be hard to tell from the picture, but it is full of tropical fish like these Yellow Tang. In this picture there are 5 or 6 of them swimming around.

Along the shore there are several places where you can see fresh water trickling into the bay. I am not sure exactly where it comes from, but supposedly this was one of the factors for choosing this area, because of its supply of fresh water. There is even a small freshwater pond full of freshwater fish a mere 25 yards from the ocean. Not sure how they got there, but they are there.This place really has some beautiful palm trees that seem to grow on top of solid lava rock. It is definitely one of the prettiest places we have been to on the Big Island yet.