Kona & Refuge

In old Hawaii, if you had broken a law, the penalty was death. Perhaps you had entered into an area that was reserved for only the chiefs, or had eaten forbidden foods. Laws, or kapu, governed every aspect of Hawaiian society. The penalty for breaking these laws was certain death. Your only option for survival is to elude your pursuers and reach the nearest puuhonua, or place of refuge.

As you enter, the great wall rises up before you marking the boundaries between the royal grounds and the sanctuary. Many ki'i (carved wooden images) surround the Hale o Keawe, housing the bones of the chiefs that infuse the area with their power or mana. If you reached this sacred place, you would be saved. Source: The Puuhonua

Of course we stopped for Kona coffee. You can't go to Kona without having some Kona coffee. It's the kapu.

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20 Brilliant Comments:

Sugar the Golden Retriever on 2/13/2012 said...

Woof! Woof! Kona Coffee is always great at the Big island. How about Mac Nuts ... did you visit n had some? Lots of Golden Woofs, Sugar

Barb and TheDailyGs on 2/13/2012 said...

I love a cuppa Kona every now and then!

Our country could use a little old Hawaiian consequences. Just saying.

Been looking at some Bahama cruises for me and MotherDear. Probably won't be quite as beautiful as Hawaii, but I'll bet I'll do just fine for a long weekend getaway!

Big hugs xoxo

Marg on 2/13/2012 said...

Lots of interesting info. Don't drink coffee so guess I won't try Kona coffee. Is it good?? Hope all of you have a great week. Hugs to Little Bit.

Ivanhoe on 2/13/2012 said...

Interesting refuge info :) I have to check for Kona coffee next time I get a coffee in a shop. Have a great week, Sandee!

Empress Bee (of the high sea) on 2/13/2012 said...

interesting! didn't know this either... i love coffee but not kona coffee, too bitter for me. reminds me of new orleans coffee with chicory even though it doesn't have the chicory in it.

ly, bee
xoxoxoxoox

Traveling Bells on 2/13/2012 said...

Beautiful scenery, but mighty stiff laws! I'd be skeered:)

Hmm, not sure I have ever tried Kona coffee. I am always game to try new stuff.

Big hugs from chilly WPB, honey...

Jean on 2/13/2012 said...

It's the Kapu? I've gotta google that one. Refuge... interesting concept. But death -- that's one heckova deterrent. Yowza!

Love me some Kona.

Dolly's Daily Diary on 2/13/2012 said...

Beautiful pictures, thanks for sharing some of the history of Hawaii that I never knew. I'm glad you and your husband had such a wonderful trip!
Janet :)

Mike Golch on 2/13/2012 said...

Oh how I wish i could have been there.

Binky on 2/13/2012 said...

Quite interesting. And beautiful scenery, too.

Ann on 2/13/2012 said...

I'm certain I would have been in trouble in old Hawaii, especially when it came to the forbidden foods :)

Rocks on 2/13/2012 said...

I love any coffee so for sure I will love that Kona coffee too! :)

Have a nice day Sandee!

Mid-Life Cruising! on 2/14/2012 said...

Love these tropical pictures .. makes me long to get back t Hawaii! Looks like ya'll had a great time, as you deserved!

Jim on 2/14/2012 said...

Wow Sandee! Those old laws were tough! I learned today.

Your beach pictures are really nice. With you Kona coffee did you have a big slice of Macadamia Nut Cream Pie? Those two are my faves.
..

Judy Haughton-James on 2/14/2012 said...

Just look at these pictures! Such a beautiful place to visit Sandee!

William K Wallace on 2/15/2012 said...

I need some of that Hawaiian scenery, the sand, blue sky and the warm weather...looks amazing!

Tony McGurk on 2/16/2012 said...

Michelle got pulled up by the police recently for being only slightly over the speed limit. Thank goodness we don't live "Old Hawaii" style

Rhonda on 2/17/2012 said...

Beautiful! I am surprised how much Kona looks like New Zealand.

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