Hauola City of Refuge
Hauola City of Refuge, Kauai
Located at the mouth of the Wailua River, right next to the Hikinaakala Heiau, Hauola City of Refuge was a pu'uhonua (place of refuge) in ancient Hawaii. It was a sanctuary for kapu (taboo) breakers. It was forbidden, for example, to walk in the shadow of an ali'i (royalty). Breaking a kapu was punishable by death. But if one made it to a pu'uhonua such as this one, one could find refuge and was ultimately able to escape prosecution and resume one's life. A place of refuge also served as a sanctuary during times of war.
Hauola City of Refuge Overview
- Ancient pu'uhonua (place of refuge) after a kapu was broken or during times of war
- Located at the mouth of the Wailua River