Green sea turtle at Pu'uhonua o Honaunau Beach

Pu 'uhonua o Honaunau was a 'Place of Refuge' for early Hawaiians who violated the kapu, the sacred laws. The resident kahuna had to perform rituals on individuals seeking asylum in this sanctuary. After the 'ceremony of absolution' was performed, the offender was set free. The sacred bones of early Hawaiian rulers, the ali'i, gave this place spiritual powers. This power can still be felt yet today.