Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park

uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park
iucn_category = V

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caption =
locator_x = 96
locator_y = 176
location = Hawaii County, Hawaii, USA
nearest_city = Holualoa, Hawaiokinai
lat_degrees = 19
lat_minutes = 25
lat_seconds = 19
lat_direction = N
long_degrees = 155
long_minutes = 54
long_seconds = 37
long_direction = W
area = 420 acres (1.7 km²)
established = July 26, 1955
visitation_num = 476,237
visitation_year = 2005
governing_body = National Park Service

Puokinauhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park is a United States National Historical Park located on the west coast of the island of Hawaiokinai in the U.S. state of Hawaiokinai. The historical park preserves the site where, up until the early 19th century, Hawaiians who broke a kapu or one of the ancient laws against the gods could avoid certain death by fleeing to this place of refuge or "puokinauhonua". The offender would be absolved by a priest and freed to leave. Defeated warriors and non-combatants could also find refuge here during times of battle. The grounds just outside the Great Wall that encloses the puokinauhonua were home to several generations of powerful chiefs.

The 420 acre (1.7 km²) site was originally established in 1955 as City of Refuge National Historical Park and was renamed on November 10, 1978. It includes the puokinauhonua and a complex of archeological sites including: temple platforms, royal fishponds, sledding tracks, and some coastal village sites. The Hale o Keawe temple and several thatched structures have been reconstructed.

Hale O Keawe heiau

The park contains a reconstruction of the Hale O Keawe heiau, which was originally built by a Kona chief named Kanuha. It was stripped and dismantled by Lord George Byron (cousin of the distinguished English poet) in 1825. It once housed the bones of important chiefs, possibly including Captain Cook.

After the death of Keawe, a great chief of Kona in the mid 16th century, his bones were entombed within the Heiau. The ali'i of Kona continued to be buried here for 250 years. The last person was buried here in 1818, a son of Kamehameha.

It was believed that additional protection to the place of refuge was received from the mana in the bones of the dead chiefs.

Gallery

External links

* [http://www.nps.gov/puho/index.htm National Park Service: Pu`uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park]
* [http://www.fmschmitt.com/travels/Hawaii/Hawaiian-History/index.html Photo essay on residences of Hawaiian Kings]

References

*Ward, Greg. 2004, "The Rough Guide to Hawaii". Rough Guides.