Place of Refuge

Pu'uhonua O Honaunau is a very interesting and unusual park. It was another highly recommended place to visit in my guide. The story behind it is that in ancient Hawaiian times people were convicted of crimes such as stepping on the chief's shadow or fishing in the wrong season they could escape to this place. If they were able to make it here, which usually involved crossing a body of water (rumor was there were sharks in it) then you were to be forgiven of all crimes. It became a religious sanctuary and is now considered scared grounds. You can walk through and see ancient huts and a beautiful pond area.



It is a very neat place to walk thorough and the kids really liked it even though they could not climb any rocks. There is a sign posted at the beginning to stay on paths and not to remove anything. Once we explained that it was like a church the kids not only were fine with not getting on everything, they really had an appreciation for the site.

It was so beautiful. We were there about an hour before sunset and it was a very peaceful time to explore.

There were sea turtles swimming in the little bay area. They come right up to the edge of the sand area and eat.

This was the main point of refuge of the site. Everything was built jutting out into the ocean on lava rock.

This was the view of the ocean while we walked around. That's a rock out there, kind of looked like something else!

Resting on our walk. Lindy was very fascinated with this place. It is so funny to see what each child has an interest in. She wandered off by herself with the map of the site and her camera. Something about this site was very intriguing to her.

Erin playing an ancient game that I can't find the name for!

This is the sandy bay area where the sea turtles were right there to look at. We spent a long time here. Check out Lindy with her camera.

Paige and the palm. Love this picture. See the kayak out in the water? There are lots of caves in the bay area where you can kayak and places to snorkel. Obviously we couldn't quite do that but it sounds neat.

I really think by being there close to the end of daylight, we had a different feel to the area. This was just beautiful to watch the sun start setting.

These are not the original tikis but still give the feeling of what it looked like.

This is one of my favorite pictures. I love the grove of palm trees.

Paige found this really large nut. Not sure what it was and we couldn't take it with us. We are going to try and figure out what it is.

The huts show how they were used in ancient times.

Looking for Black Sand

I love this sign! It is going to have to go somewhere in my house. I am pretty sure I will not go to many places where falling coconuts will be a problem. This is from one of Hawaii's State Parks that is a lava field with a very, very, unimproved road. I have never been on a road like it. Our car looked like it was bouncing on another planet.

We were looking for the only black sand beach on the Kona side of the island. According to our guide book we had to drive through and then walk a little ways to get to it. Well the walking conditions were more for adults. There was no way Erin could have done it. So we settled for the salt and pepper sand and playing on the beach. No one minded and we still had fun. The sand we saw was still unlike any along the Carolina beaches we usually go to.

The water is much rougher also so we did not go "out" too far. We stayed right on the beach and got plenty wet. The kids had a great time in the water and liked what we did walk of the lava rock.

The lava fields that the "road" went through. It looks like something from space.

This was some of the rock we would have had to walk on to get to the black sand. Some were even more rocky and sharp. Not flip flop friendly!

There were some large holes in the rocks along the way.

Erin was pretty proud of this shell she found intact. She really is happy the sun was just in her eyes.

Total beach bums within seconds!

The wave loving boy! Ethan is such a beach boy. This was one of his favorite activities.

Lindy about got swept away a couple of times. Bill stood guard and grabbed kids if they started getting knocked down. It was quite comical.

The best part, we had the beach to ourselves. Probably because not many people are crazy enough to drive back there!

Erin was about losing her suit!

There is a hole in the sand on the left side near the middle of this picture where a sand crab was running in and out of. I was able to get a picture of him I just can't find it in all of my pictures. But this gives an idea of what the beach looked like.

Erin loved everything we did. She never complained and she just napped when she got tired. We would wake her up when we got somewhere and she popped right out of the car and was ready to go. Oh, if we could all travel like that!

Lindy & Erin's Aloha

Lindy and I spent one evening taking her picture for her 8th birthday. The first house we stayed in had a very lush yard with many flowers and trees. Perfect for a photo shoot and Lindy was more than willing. In fact she showed up in a new dress and announced she was ready for her pictures. Those always make the best ones. Erin decided to participate later as it was getting dark. I got a few before the lighting faded. Enjoy!

Plumeria, so very fragrant.

We held onto our luau leis for a few days. They were so pretty it was hard to throw them away. Plus we had never had real flower leis before!

There was a wall made of lava rock around the front of the yard. Lava rock was everywhere, believe me there is still plenty in the lava fields for years to come!

I remember sitting on the side of my grandma's pool in the evening dipping my feet. This reminds me of being little.

Erin loved these stone pineapple statues. She spent a long time finding fallen flowers and decorating them.

Silly little girl poses!