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Big Island West

Pictures by QT Luong

The western part of the Big Island is its sunny side. A lot of the natural sand on the island comes from lava and is black. Besides the resorts, that's also on the west coast where you find most of the island's historical places. The most interesting of them is possibly Puuhohonua o Honaunau, also called the Place of Refuge. In ancient times, commoner's lifes were governed by a complex rules system, called kapu. The penalty for breaking them was usually death, but if the offender could escape its pursuers and make it to the Place of Refuge, he could perform certain rituals and all would be forgiven. Defeated warriors could also pledge their allegiance to victors there and be spared.

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Black sand beach at Punaluu. Big Island, Hawaii, USA (color) Beach of black sand at Punaluu. Big Island, Hawaii, USA (color) Black sand and mossy rocks, Punaluu Beach. Big Island, Hawaii, USA (color) Mossy rocks and black sand, Punaluu black sand beach. Big Island, Hawaii, USA (color) Saint Benedict Catholic Church called Painted Church. Big Island, Hawaii, USA (color) Interior of the Saint Benedict Catholic Church called Painted Church. Big Island, Hawaii, USA (color) Interior of the Saint Benedict Catholic Church (Painted Church). Big Island, Hawaii, USA (color) Polynesian idol in Puuhonua o Honauau (Place of Refuge). Big Island, Hawaii, USA (color) Polynesian god statues in Puuhonua o Honauau (Place of Refuge). Big Island, Hawaii, USA (color) Statues of Polynesian gods, Puuhonua o Honauau (Place of Refuge). Big Island, Hawaii, USA (color) Flowers offered to Polynesian idols, Puuhonua o Honauau (Place of Refuge). Big Island, Hawaii, USA (color) Polynesian idols, Puuhonua o Honauau (Place of Refuge). Big Island, Hawaii, USA (color) Statues of polynesian idols, Puuhonua o Honauau (Place of Refuge). Big Island, Hawaii, USA (color) Lapakahi historical park. Big Island, Hawaii, USA (color)

All text and photos © QT Luong. See conditions for use of images. There are 14 color pictures of Big Island West on this page

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Big Island West | Big Island East | Akaka Falls State Park | Hawaii Volcanoes NP
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