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Puuhonua O Honaunua National Park is a
180-acre park on the South Kohala coast. Since ancient times conquered
warriors, war refugees and Hawaiians who broke a Kapu, one of the ancient
laws of the gods, traveled here to seek absolution and sanctuary. Puuhonua
is enclosed by a great stone wall measuring some 1,000 feet long, 10
feet high and 17 feet wide. Inside the 180-acre site is a fishpond,
canoe landing, thatched Hale house, a large A-framed building called
a Halau and the Hale O Keawe Heiau, a temple where huge, wooden Kii
statues stand guard over the remains of 23 members of the Hawaiian royalty.
The park’s visitor center has brochures with lots of interesting
information. There are also orientation talks in the amphitheater. The
self-guided trail tour takes around 30 minutes to complete and tours
the royal grounds and the pu’uhonua, the sacred place of refuge.
Skilled Hawaiian artisans work in the park as cultural demonstrators
and share their knowledge about traditional Hawaiian arts and crafts.
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