One Sunday I found myself at Honaunau – Pu`uhonua O Honaunau – the “City of Refuge.” Historically in the days of ‘kapu’ (forbidden); if one commited kapu (for example to step on the king’s shadow was kapu and the penalty was death) and they could evade the king’s men and get to Honaunau – where they had to crawl over the wall to get into the kahuna’s (spiritual leader) hut; they could be absolved of their crime and return to normal life without fear of reprisal.

To have a place of refuge is important at all times. The places that provide refuge carry the mana (life force) of protection and I love Honaunau and frequent its beach for that reason.

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