Green Sand and a Place of Refuge

Puuhonua O Honaunau

It was another beautiful day in paradise. I had been looking through some guide books and they talked about a “Green Sand Beach” at South Point. According to the guide book we would find the beach about 5 miles east of South Point. Access is by 4 wheel drive or foot. Mom is always up for a good walk or hike and Sis was as curious as I about green sand so it was decided .Today we would check out the green sand beach.

After breakfast we climbed into out trusty rental and off we went. Since we’d seen the turn off for South Point on our Around the Island Drive finding that was the easy part. The road got narrower and narrower and finally ended in a muddy field where we saw other cars were parked. We also spotted a little fuzzy weasel -like creature that we soon learned were Mongoose. After spotting the first one we seemed to see them all over. Mongoose are not native to Hawaii but like so many other creatures and people alike, once it got here, it thrived.

I tried to take the car further but soon decided that the book was right about needed a 4 wheel drive and , may I add, a driver who is used to off-roading. Back in the makeshift parking area, we headed out on foot. It was a hot day but there was a breeze and the views were nothing short of spectacular. Still, though we hiked along for most of the morning we never found the Green Sand Beach. Another item to add to my return bucket list!

Back at the car again we headed back to the main road and drove over to Kona. We arrived in a rainstorm which is unusual for this side of the island which is very dry. It rained very hard but only for a brief time. We used the time to grab a quick lunch and as the weather cleared we explored some of the shops along the main road.

With our shopping urge appeased we turned back toward Sea Mountain but decided to detour into the Puuhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park. This is an ancient “Place of Refuge”. When people were seeking asylum from breaking a kapu law, they came here. If they could get inside , they would receive sanctuary. The resident kahuna or priests were required to grant absolution no matter how severe the infraction. Once granted the refugee could return home and resume his life as before as if nothing had happened.

The site has been reconstructed so it is possible to get a glimpse of ancient Hawaiian life and customs. While exploring the grounds we finally had a chance to see some of the sacred sea turtles as they allowed themselves to be washed up on shore to sun themselves on the warm sand. It was here too that I got my first taste of the Hawaiian language. The ranger insisted I try to pronounce the name of the site, which, I, of course immediately mangled. But he was gentle in his corrections and the rest of the trip I drove the family crazy trying to practice pronouncing the Hawaiian words.

Aloha a hui hou kakou!
　
　(Farewell until we meet again)