Hawaii - October 09, 2003

This was our last full day on Hawaii.

The long trek to Hilo was out of the question, so we decided to check out the City of Refuge.

First we went see Napo'opo'o Beach in Kealakekua Bay where Captain Cook first landed on Hawaii. There's not much to see now as the beach has been washed away, but across the bay (virtually inaccessible) is the Captain Cook Monument.

Captain Cook landed here in November 1778, coincidentally, at the exact time and location that the god Lono was supposed to return to Hawaii. Captain Cook was taken to be Lono and treated accordingly. Shortly after leaving, his ship required repairs and he returned to the same bay. This time the Hawaiians were suspicious. A fight broke out when some of the Hawaiians attempted to steal a row boat for the nails in it, and Captain Cook was killed here.

We continued along the coast until we reached the Pu'uhonua o Honanunau National Historical Park. This was one of the cities of refuge. In the old Hawaiian religion, when someone violated a kapu they were usually put to death; however, one exception was if the offender could reach one of the refuge places before they were caught and killed. In which case all was apparently forgiven. It was an interesting representation of Gilligan's Island-like grass huts and there were Green Sea Turtle basking on the beach.

I don't know why, but for some reason I find it hard to believe that the Hawaiians lived this close and exposed to the sea. It just seems more logical to build 100 yards back from the shore. I concentrated on video taping and didn't get any pictures of the buildings, which was a regretable mistake.

That evening we went north to Hapuna Beach. Hapuna beach is considered one of the best beaches in the world and it certainly lives up to the classic ideal of white, sandy beach. We arrived (as was planned) just in time for sunset and I was pleased that I finally got some passable photos of a spectacular sunset.

Late that evening, I went out alone to the Borders bookstore in town to see what they had. I found a fascinating book on all the loony stuff people believe about Hawaii. Ghost legions of Hawaiian warriors, inter dimensional wormholes and UFO hot spots - Hawaii has got them all!

On to Day 12 ==>

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Hawaii - Hapuna Beach	Hawaii - Hapuna Beach	Hawaii - Hapuna Beach	Hawaii - Hapuna Beach	Hawaii - Hapuna Beach
Hawaii - Hapuna Beach	Hawaii - Hapuna Beach	Hawaii - Hapuna Beach	Hawaii - Hapuna Beach	Hawaii - Hapuna Beach