As we learned from our last trip to Hawaii several years ago, the ancient Hawaiians had a very strict religion called Kapu. Rules were plentiful and harsh. Things like eating a meal with someone of the opposite sex, or a commoner's shadow falling across that of a royal, could result in a death sentence. A woman eating a banana would get her eyes gouged out. That type of thing. BUT, if a guilty party could make it across the island, either by challenging the ocean and it's waves, or crossing over the harsh terrain/lava by foot, and make it to THIS PLACE, a priest would absolve the person of their crime, and they could continue living. Thus, this place is known as the "Place of Refuge". Interestingly, the system of Kapu came to an abrupt end under the rule of King Kamemeha the second, because of the influence of Europeans after the arrival of Captain Cook. These foreigners came, ate bananas, crossed shadows and the like... and the gods did NOT smite them! How was this?? The system began to crumble, and just like that, in November of 1819, six months after assuming the crown, the king ordered all the Hawaiian gods burnt, and the temples destroyed. Within another six months or so, Christian missionaries arrived, and the Kapu system was largely replaced with Christianity. Super interesting stuff.
Rambutons. Quinn's favorite exotic fruit.
More soursop.
Konane, an ancient Hawaiian strategy game played with black and white pebbles.
This wall was built approximately 500 years ago.
And then it was off to Papakolea Beach, one of only four beaches in the world to sport GREEN sand. Apparently, a byproduct of volcanic activity is olivine, which is a relative of peridot. After an eruption 49,000 years ago by Mauna Loa, the crystals formed and eventually became ground down into this beach.
It started getting windy, the further south we went. We figured this must be a common occurrence, because all the trees were growing sideways. Crazy town.
Like many other places here, getting to green sands beach is NOT EASY. There, again, is no "road", but a series of trails through eroded sand. Again, it was recommended by the guide book to hike in the three miles there and back, but of course we didn't do that. We had a Jeep!
As sketchy as taking the Jeep was, I'm SO GLAD we had it. The wind was horrendous, and all the poor pedestrians were getting sand blasted for miles. Misery. Misery. Misery. And yet they continued. Those people were die-hards!
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Then Quinn wanted to try cliff diving. Mama had a thing or two to say about that as well. We haven't yet developed safety awareness, apparently.
All that wind and sandblasting really wore the kids out for the ride back home. I have no idea how they can fold over double and sleep on their own laps like that. I certainly don't bend that way!
And again, home in time for sunset on the lanai. AHHHHH. It never gets old.
