This week’s Sunday Stills challenge theme is ‘Celebrations.’ See more responses here. Since I rarely take photos of people, the usual options for this one were off the table. So I’ve gone with some photos from Pu’uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park.
This site is also known as Place of Refuge and it represented guaranteed forgiveness for those who had broken kapu. The park’s website (here) notes, “Kapu (sacred law) regulated fishing, planting, and the harvesting of other resources. Any breaking of kapu disturbed the stability of society, and the punishment was often death. Any fugitive who had broken kapu could seek refuge and forgiveness within the walls of the Puʻuhonua.” The refuge is bordered by a huge L-shaped wall on land and by the ocean on the other sides.
I imagine some such unfortunate swimming across Honaunau Bay. The palm trees look welcoming, but this is a sacred place, home to Hawaiian royalty, and to important ceremonial sites. One of these is Hale o Keawe, situated at the northern end of the wall, a place of powerful mana, or divine power. It is home to many ki’i, representations of “the akua, or the multitude of Hawaiian gods, deities, and venerated ancestors.” The refuge is on the other side of the Hale.
These ki’i would look down on the miscreant swimming toward them, growing in size as they got closer. But so too would the welcoming palm trees and though it is a rocky shore, a few cuts and scrapes would be a small price to pay for salvation.
Once ashore, forgiveness was guaranteed and the person was free to reenter society and rejoin family and friends, who would no doubt celebrate the return.
Graham's Island 
Great interpretation on the theme! Thank you for sharing this bit of history . I couldn’t seem to get a post together for this week but thought I’d visit everyone anyways.
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Thanks Kirstin. I didn’t think I was going to have anything either, but then I remembered these photos and they seemed to fit.
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Always good to learn more about history and in particular from the big island of Hawaii. Thanks for sharing.
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Glad you liked it Denyse.
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Loved the explanation, Graham. Some similarities with indigenous Australians, although they don’t have gods as such. Your take on celebrating was well- thought-out.
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Glad you liked it Karen.
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I love the opening photo and the statues of the ki’i. A good tradition of peace and harmony. A good piece of history Graham 🙂
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It’s an interesting place with a lot of history about it. It’s still used for quite a few traditional activities.
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How fascinating to read about how ancient Hawaiians could atone for their sins in this way, Graham! I can imagine the celebration that went on once some lucky person swam ashore.
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Their society was set up in quite an interesting way. A tough life and harsh punishments, but everyone had access to what they needed and there was always this slim chance of forgiveness. The refuge also worked during wars when people from either side could find sanctuary there and, after the battle was over, be free to go regardless of who won.
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