Today we went to a Hawaiian place of refuge. Places of refuge were used for a few things:
1) for anyone who broke Kapu (taboos), they could receive forgiveness from the gods, if they made it to the place of refuge. However, along the way, people would try to kill them, as it was believed that those who broke Kapu were the cause of natural disasters. They also had to get across sharp lava, and swim through the oceancto arrive st the place of refuge.
2) during times of war, places of refuge were safe havens for civilians and defeated warriors. It was a Kapu to kill anyone in a place of refuge, so they were truly safe.
We also got to see a Honu (sea turtle) up close & personal at the place of refuge!!
-Taylor
Hawai'i Rocks 