Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park, Ancient Hawaiian sanctuary in Hawaiʻi County, United States.
Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park is an ancient Hawaiian sanctuary on the Pacific coast featuring massive stone walls, royal fishponds, and temple platforms. The grounds span about 420 acres and display the physical structure of this sacred place through preserved and reconstructed stonework.
From ancient times until the early 1800s, this place served as a refuge for people who broke the sacred laws known as kapu. Those who reached this sanctuary could escape death and find protection.
The reconstructed Hale o Keawe temple was a place of deep spiritual meaning where the remains of Hawaiian leaders were kept. People came here to honor their connection to ancestors and to the land itself.
The park has paved pathways for exploration and informative signs plus ranger talks explain Hawaiian history. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes and prepare for sunny conditions, as there is little shade across the grounds.
The site preserves ancient sledding tracks where Hawaiian nobles took part in heʻe hōlua and slid down stone ramps on wooden sleds. This old sport reveals the wealth and athletic traditions of island aristocracy.
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