BIG ISLAND SIGHTS

    The Hawaii of old was an organized into a social structure including chiefs, priests, skilled laborers and commoners. Strict laws or “kapu” existed for each of the separate divisions. Death was the penalty for breaking the law. One’s only option for survival was to elude your pursuers and reach the nearest puuhonua, or place of refuge. The Royal Grounds adjacent to the pu’uhonua were a favored residence of Hawaiian chiefs. Hale-o-Keawe acted as the royal mausoleum and held the remains of 23 chiefs. It was surrounded by carved wooden images(ki’i) of the gods.The mana (spiritual power) of the remains bestowed sanctity upon this sacred area. This temple was constructed in honor of Keawe’ikekahiali’i o kamoku, the great-grandfather of Kamehameha I.