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Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Park

United States of America
Project Resources

Extending approximately 420 acres along the lava flats of the Kona Coast, Pu'uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park is rich in sites reflecting over four hundred years of Hawaiian history. One of the most prominent features of the park is the pu'uhonua, or place of refuge, enclosed by the 965-foot long Great Wall. The pu'uhonua served as a sanctuary in ancient times for defeated warriors, noncombatants, and those who violated the kapu (sacred laws), and is still considered a sacred place to those who enter the grounds.

In 2010, CyArk conducted the field research for the digital preservation of three culturally significant Hawaiian sites, known as wahi pana ("places of significant meaning" in Hawaiian). These three sites were Hulihe'e Palace (the summer residence of the Hawaiian royal family), Ahu'ena Heiau (Kamehameha the Great's personal temple), and portions of the Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Park ("Place of Refuge" which served as a sanctuary to those fleeing capture or punishment). With this digital reconstruction, CyArk hopes to forward its mission by providing the public with a glimpse of often overlooked Hawaiian heritage sites and highlighting the need for cultural resource preservation throughout the state.

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