Stop 1 Pu`uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park
Our first stop of the day was Pu`uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park, a place of royal grounds, refuge, and sacred meaning to native Hawaiians. The park was also known as the "place of refuge". Upon our arrival, we were greeted by Rae Gooden, a park ranger who also had cultural ties with the park and with whom we met later for a presentation after our self-guided tour.
Before going into the sacred grounds, we had to walk through the visitor center's outdoor entrance. The main entrance had a wall of ancient Hawaiian art and audio narration of important events at the place of refuge was available to tourists. Once we walked into the park, the self-guided tour had begun. A brochure of the park provided by Godden had a beautiful illustration of the overall area. With about 16 points of interest to hit, we knew there was going to be a lot to take in before the presentation later that morning. |
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Royal Grounds
This area was home to the ali`i's of the Kona District and contained more than 10 thatched buildings. Attendants and servants would go from hut to hut, performing various tasks for the chiefs and ali`i's. In fact, there was a fishpond right outside of the ali`i quarters, also known as the royal fishponds, specially for whenever the ali`i wanted to eat his favorite type of fish. The beach canoe landing was only accessbile to the chief and his attendants. Wooden structures similar to Native American totem poles were placed outside of the Hale o Keawe temple to warn commoners of kapu (Hawaiian laws and regulations). The Kapu System Kapu regulated everyday activites. Some examples of kapu are: 1. Women could not eat food reserved as offereings to the gods. 2. Men and women had to prepare and eat meals separately. 3. Seasons for fishing, killing animals, and gathering timber were strictly controlled (NPS). Place of Refuge/Pu`uhonua Imagine having done something against the kapu system. Warriors are chasing after you in hopes to kill and destroy you completely. Most kapu breakers would run to the Pu`uhonua, where the kahuna pule (priest) performed a ceremony of absolution, and the offenders could return home safely (NPS). The Pu`uhonua was also the place where war combats could come for care. Though it was not the most pleasant place, it kept you alive (Godden). |
For more information about Pu`uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park, we encourage you to visit their website:
http://www.nps.gov/puho/index.htm
http://www.nps.gov/puho/index.htm
Sources
Godden, Rae. "Pu`uhonua Presentation." Pu`uhonua Visit. Pu`uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park, Honaunau. 30 Oct. 2011. Speech
"Pu`uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park (U.S. National Park Service)." U.S. National Park Service - Experience Your America. National Park Service, 11 Dec. 2011. Web. 12 Dec. 2011. http://www.nps.gov/puho/index.htm.
Banner photo by Doug Faulkner
"Pu`uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park (U.S. National Park Service)." U.S. National Park Service - Experience Your America. National Park Service, 11 Dec. 2011. Web. 12 Dec. 2011. http://www.nps.gov/puho/index.htm.
Banner photo by Doug Faulkner