Entrance to the Park
Located on the black lava flats of the southern Kona Coast of the Big Island of Hawaii, Pu’uhonua o Honaunau is a National Historical Park. The park gives visitors insight into the traditional Hawaiian way of life. Honaunau Bay, was a perfect location due to a protected place for canoe landings and availability of drinking water, fit for a king literally, this area as established as one of the most important residences of the ali’i (royal chiefs).
The Pu’uhonua (a place of refuge for defeated warriors and those that broke kapu-the sacred laws) was separated by the royal grounds by a massive lava rock wall. Used for centuries until 1819 when Kamehameha II abolished traditional religious practices, many of the religious sites and structures were destroyed or abandoned ,and with years of neglect the temples of the pu’uhonua were ravaged by sun,wind and sea. Finally in the 1920s the area was set aside as a county park and in 1961 it became a national historical park to preserve a setting where visitors can learn about Hawaiian ways in a natural setting.
Ki’i(wooden images) stand watch over this rebuilt temple and mausoleum
The self guided tour along the one half mile graveled walking path takes visitors through the royal grounds and the pu’uhonua. The royal grounds were within the ahupua’a of Honaunau, a political sub-district that descended the slope of Mauna Loa into the ocean. The ancient Hawaiians used the mountain-to-the-sea method of dividing land because it gave residents access to farm,collecting drinking water and to fish to provide for their families. The original royal residence consisted of 10 or more thatched buildings in the coconut palm grove . The beach canoe landing was only for the chief and his attendants, the wooden images in the water warned others of the kapu. A massive stone wall built around 1550 still stands and separates the royal grounds form the pu’uhoua. It was not the stone wall that bestowed sanctity to the area but the mausoleum that held the bones of 23 ali’i (noble chiefs)-tradition holds that the ali’i possessed mana, spiritual power. Hale o Keawe, the newest heiau built about 1650 to honor the great-grandfather of Kamehameha I , and being an important chief his bones were placed in the temple, and the mana of Keawe was believed to protect the pu’uhonua. Blood could not shed within its confines, so those who sought a new life here were safe -the spirit of the pu’uhonua was respected by all.
When you visit the park remember this is a sacred place, please be respectful . Many of the stone structures are very fragile so please do not climb or walk on them and remember it is unlawful to disturb or remove any structures,artifacts, plants or wildlife from the park.
Often Hawaii green sea turtles bask in the sun, but remember you can not touch them, and you must stay within posted boundaries away from them.
Pu’uhonua o Honaunau – www.nps.gov/puho (808) 328-2288 Located on the Kona Coast Big Island of Hawaii, take Hawaii 11 to Hawaii 160(between mile posts 103 nad 104) the park entrance will be down the hill . Begin at the visitors center to pickup a park map – I suggest wearing closed toe shoes as the gravel kept getting in my flip-flops. Also just outside the royal grounds are a couple of picnic tables , so go late morning and then have a picnic lunch.
For more info contact: Linda Dancer [email protected] Direct Line 931-337-0770
Remember the best way way to enjoy Hawaii is to get out and explore the islands
