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Benjamin stands in front of a model of Hale o Keawe,
a royal mausoleum housing the bones of 23 Hawaiian chiefs |
We experienced Hawaiian history two ways today. We started our day kayaking over to Captain Cook monument, where Captain Cook was clubbed and knifed to death by Hawaiians over a stolen rowboat in 1779. Now this inlet is peacefully inhabited by snorkelers and kayakers intent on viewing exotic fish (pictures from my underwater camera to follow).
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| A collection oif ki'i (wooden images of Hawaiian gods) |
After exhausting ourselves snorkeling (and one capsized kayak, duly righted), we returned our rental kayaks and drove the four miles to the Pu-uhonua o Honaunau National Historic Park, which, loosely translated, means place of refuge. A perky ranger from Indiana provided us with a history of the Hawaiian islands and the park, which were sacred grounds for the ali'i (chiefs), and for those brave and lucky "criminals" who were able to make it to this refuge and be forgiven their sins. I put "criminals" in quotes because there were a lot of kapu (taboos) back then and if you broke them, you were up for human sacrifice. Forbidden activities included eating meals with the opposite sex, or walking in the shadow cast by a chief. This refuge was also used for the families of warriors during times of war.
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Betsy and Samuel on the grounds of the refuge.
Turtles and fishponds nearby. |
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Noni (Indian mulberry),
a plant brought over by the Tahitians, now flourishing in the park |
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