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Pu'uhonua O Honaunau
One of the most accesible, interesting, and enchanting cultural sites in the State of Hawaii is Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park in South Kona.
Translated, the "Place of refuge at Honaunau" is the most complete restoration of an ancient hawaiian religous sanctuary in Hawaii.  Refuge for vanquished warriors and kapu (taboo) breakers was guaranteed to all who made it to this haunting compound.
Tall royal palms surround the temple complex that sits on a 20-acre finger of lava bordered by the sea on three sides. The only access to the pu'uhonua (temple of refuge) was by swimming across a bay known as the shark's den. If you managed to survive, the kahuna (priest), was required, under pain of death, to offer you sanctuary and absolve you of all wrong doing.
The power of the pu'uhonua is inherent in the heiau (temple) that house the bones of all alii (nobles). There are three heiau within the Honaunau complex. Archeological evidence dates the use of the temple from the mid 16th century.
The newest heiau, which dates from about 1650, served as a temple and mausoleum until 1818, and contains the bones of at least 23 chiefs.
In 1820, king Kamehaha II abolished the kapu system, which included severe penalties for standing in the shadow of an alii, or women eating with men. The city of refuge was abandoned soon thereafter.
In 1961, the National Park Service carefully restored the pu'uhonua, consulting old records and sketches from early ships' artists. The park is beautifully maintained, the park rangers are frindly and helpful, and the visitor center contains exhibits, maps, and a brochure for a self-guided tour that winds through the tall coconut trees, the giant scowling tikis, the painstakingly renovated buildings and grounds, and leads down to the lava sculpted shoreline, a perfect place to view one of Kona's famous sunsets.
The best way to find this cultural and spiritual must see, is by taking Highway 11 south, and turning makai (towards the sea) on Route 160 at mile marker 104.
 
Annual Merrie Monarch Hula Festival
The Merrie Monarch Festival is a week-long cultural event held annually in Hilo on the island of Hawaii (also known as the "Big Island"). Festivities start on Easter Sunday and culminate with the hula competition events at Edith Kanaka'ole Tennis Stadium -- Miss Aloha Hula on Thursday, Hula Kahiko on Friday, and Hula 'Auana on Saturday.
 
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Hiking in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park can be a fun and rewarding experience as in other national parks. It is a great way to both see and experience the park.

The character of the park is best discovered on foot. There are over 150 miles of trails in the park. Hike the park trails to experience the park's essence and to gain an understanding of the natural and cultural history of Kilauea and Mauna Loa volcanoes. Day hikes as well as backcountry trips of several days duration are available. If you only have a single day, explore Kilauea's summit trails. Highly recommended is the Kilauea Iki trail, a four mile, two hour hike, descending 400 feet through native rainforest into a crater, and across lava flows still steaming from the 1959 eruption.

Kilauea Summit Trails
Halema`uma`u Overlook
0.25 mile
Easy
 Ten minute walk to the crater's edge from the Halema`uma`u parking area.
Devestation
1.0 mile roundtrip
Easy
 30-minute walk through the cinder outfall of the 1959 Kilauea Iki eruption; wheelchair and stroller accessible.Of Interest: Plants, birds, insects, cinder with olivine and Pele's hair and tears, tree molds, cinder and spatter cone
Thurston Lava Tube
0.3 mile
Easy
 20-minute walk through a tree fern forest and prehistoric lava tube.
Kilauea Iki
4.0 mile loop
Challenging
Two to three hour hike descending 400 feet through rainforest, across the crater floor, pass Pu'u Pua'i cinder cone, and return via the crater's rim. Of interest: Rain forest, birds, insects, 1959 lava lake, steam vents, cinder and spatter cone. Bring water; expect wet and windy weather and some steep and rocky terrain.
Kipuka Puaulu
1.0 mile loop
Easy
Trail through an "island" of forest rich with rare plants. Access is from Mauna Loa Road.Dirt path with a gentle incline. Of interest: Kipuka, old-growth forest of koa and 'ohi'a, birds, insects.
‘Iliahi (Sandalwood)
1.5 mile loop
Easy to Moderate
Hike through rain forest, past steam vents with views of Kilauea Caldera, Halema'auma'u Crater and Mauna Loa. Of interest: Rain forest, birds, insects, steam vents, earthcracks, fault scarps.Bring water. Stay on the trail and beware of steam vents, earthcracks and cliffs.
Earthquake
1.0 mile roundtrip
Easy
Wheelchair and stroller accessible trail. Walk over a section of road cracked-up in1983 by a magnitude 6.6 Mauna Loa earthquake.Plants, birds, insects, earthcracks, views of Kilauea Caldera and Mauna Loa.
Halema'uma'u
3.5 miles one way
Moderate to Challenging
Descends 400 feet through rain forest, cross Kilauea Caldera to Halema'uma'u Crater. Trails ends at the crater or return via Byron Ledge and Crater Rim Trail. Of interest: Plants, birds, insects, pahoehoe lava flows, steam vents, spatter ramparts, crater, and caldera.Bring water and food. Prepare for hot, dry, wet, and windy weather. Beware of sulfur fumes; people with heart and breathing problems should avoid this trail.
Crater Rim
11.0 mile loop
Challenging
Encircles Kilauea's summit caldera, pass through desert and rain forest, view Halema'uma'u and Keanakako'i Craters and Mauna Loa.Of interest: Plants, birds, insects, desert, rain forest, steam vents, caldera, craters. Bring water and food. Be prepared for hot and dry, and wet and windy weather. Note: Expect concentrated sulfur fumes in the Halema'uma'u Crater and southwest rift zone areas.
 
 
 
 

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All of our promotions are subject to change without notice. As a result, prices will not be guaranteed until booked. In compiling the data for this website, we have endeavored to be accurate and not exaggerate the benefits of any of the tours in any way. However, we depend our representatives for the bulk of the information regarding rates and schedules. Occasionally, information supplied to us is inaccurate or changes occur during the course of the year. Therefore, Aloha Destinations cannot be held liable for any inaccuracies this page may contain. All rental offers are ALWAYS subject to availability and only offered on Maui (for pick up in South Maui only). Rates are subject to change and can vary due to vendor updates. We try to maintain the most current information online that is available but all rates and discounts will be confirmed by shop personell upon initial contact.