Place of Refuge, Travel Photo Mondays
It’s Monday morning, time to enjoy some gorgeous travel photography and inspiration from around the world. Let’s banish those Monday blues by sharing gorgeous imagery and story telling.
Black and white tiki gods
Today, let’s go visit another beautiful area on Hawaii Island called the Place of Refuge or Pu’uhonua o Honaunau. This National historic park is located in South Kona on Honaunau bay and is a short and scenic drive from Kailua Kona. This historic coastal area is significant for being one of Hawaii’s most sacred sanctuaries and royal compounds in the island chain.
Shore line view in black and white
Heiau detail
Once the home of Hawaiian royalty and at the same time a place of refuge to ordinary commoners that have broken a kapu (Hawaiian sacred law sometimes punishable by death). If the maka’ainana (commoner), makes it to a place of refuge then absolution is eventually given and they can return back to society. It was believed that the mana (spiritual energy) of the chiefs bones gave additional protection to the place of refuge so no harm could be done to those seeking protection in this sacred sanctuary and life begins anew for those ancient Hawaiians. The park has several historic and recreated structures including: the Hale o Keawe Heiau (sacred temples housing bones of the chiefs), rock walls, wooden carved images, and the royal compounds.
Large carved tiki gods
Close-by to the park is a wonderful snorkeling spot called Two Step which is one of the nicer places to see some beautiful coral and Hawaiian tropical fish and honu (turtles) basking in the sun. There are many attractions and historic landmarks to visit in the park, here is the official national park website to visit and get more information on this historic sanctuary
Honu (turtle) refuge
The small bay and landing is where Hawaiian royalty would land into the royal compounds. The beach area is now sectioned off to allow honu (sea turtles) to bask on the shoreline undisturbed. This is one of the best spots to always see sea turtles enjoying the day on the beach.
Canoe house
There are many structures in the park depicting the many daily uses and rituals that happen around the grounds. A large display canoe house shows how canoes were housed. This beautiful wooden canoe is made of koa wood that was dragged down from mauka (upland) and carved into a fast canoe vessel used by royalty. Below is a scenic shot of the royal landing from the Honaunau bay.
Royal landing and compound
Detailed carving
Thanks so much for coming to visit Travel Photo Mondays and visiting this beautiful green sand beach in East Hawaii. To see more imagery of this sacred sanctuary, please visit my flickr site here. Also, come and enjoy some of these other bloggers from around that world showing you some beautiful imagery.
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Fantastic wood carvings and great history behind the place of refuge…incredible to think that royalty landed there and now Sea Turtles are protected there!
Hi Lisa, Thanks for the comment and it is a beautiful and historic place worth visiting, glad you dropped by 🙂
I was able to visit here when I was in Hawaii about 8 years ago! My husband and I got married on A Bay and stayed outside of Kona. I really enjoyed the BIG Island. This place is fascinating to walk around. I LOVED all the sea turtles that I could see. The koa wood is so beautiful, I told my husband I wanted my kitchen done in them :). Hoping to get back to Hawaii in a couple of years for our 10 year anniversary. Your pictures are beautiful. Thanks for taking me back to a place that I loved.
THanks for connecting Sere and sharing your story, appreciate it. I would like to invite you to join us for Travel Photo Mondays, it runs all week starting on Mondays.
Thank you much for the invitation Noel! Great to visit your site 🙂 Hawaii is special.
I never get tired of your pictures of Hawaii. The royal compound and landing photo looks like an ideal refuge! Please feel free to link up via my latest post below for Wanderlust Wednesdays.
Wow, what ‘s the cool and calm place! You surely did a marvelous job of capturing the beauty of Hawaii Island through your camera.
such fantastic to visit.
Thanks for visiting, I enjoyed visiting your website. I hope you can join us for the next installment of Travel Photo Mondays.
Thanks for the invite to join you, Noel. I’m late, but I finally made it. Your photos are beautiful. Hawaii has been on my list of places to visit for a long time. Maybe someday.
Hi
Tonya, no worries this runs for the whole week, thanks again for linking up, time to check it out~
Thanks for the invite to join you, Noel. I’m a bit late this week, but I made it. 🙂 I love your photos. Hawaii has been on my list of places to visit for a long time.
I love the history of Hawaii and the ancient places you’ve photographed capture it so well! (And I am totally charmed by ‘Honu’. Beautiful photos, Noel.
Hi Noel, what a beautiful place of refuge with interesting history. It was good to have a place where someone can start a new. Your images are beautiful.The carving of the tiki Gods are very impressive. Are their expressions suppose to ward off evil spirits?
Tiki’s usually represent the gods of that particular culture. They are meant to symbolize the god the mana (spiritual energy) present in that environment.
Lovely photos! I love the Tiki gods!
Beautiful images of the island of hawaii
All those wood carvings – they are spectacular. I would love to visit that part of Hawaii. I’ve been to the big island but it was ages ago.
You’ll have to come and visit again Ruth, it’s beautiful here and not touristy like Oahu
Absolutely gorgeous photos! I just found your linkup and am excited to explore. Thanks for hosting!
I’ve always said I’d much prefer to visit Caribbean islands than the Hawaiian islands. I didn’t care for overcrowded Oahu, though Maui was beautiful. Your photos really make me want to go back though. I think I’ve missed out on the hidden gems that would sell me on Hawaii.
Thank you for inviting me…
As you invited me, I’m happy to be part of this Travel Photo Monday, but you’re photoskills are so amazing, I’m a little ashamed of mine. Looking at your pictures was like walking by your side on this island!
Linking up for the first time here Noel, and loving your photos. Thanks for sharing, and hosting!
The story of the Place of Refuge is so interesting. Looks like there’s much of interest and beauty in the park. I especially like the wooden carvings.
thankyou for the historical and cultural tour – and for hosting Travel Photo Mondays!
Marvellous photos. I especially like the black and white ones and the carving at the end.
We actually visited that National Park in February. Nice. (When does Travel Photo Monday go live for links?)
Hi Suzanne
The link usually goes live Sunday PST at 12pm, thanks for asking and look forward to your link.
The pictures are so inviting that they make me feel like hopping on a plane (and I just got off one:-)
It isn’t like being there … but it’s as close as I’m likely to get. Thanks for showing me a piece of the world I’ve always wanted to see.