Painted Church
and Place of Refuge
Summer Vacation 2018 - Hawaii
(created Sun. July 29, 2018; updated Sun. Aug. 19, 2018)
Painted Church, St. Benedict’s Catholic Church
the Place of Refuge, Pu’uhonau O Honauanau
When we first arrived in Kona, we got the car, checked into the hotel, enjoyed some time in the surf and the pool and had dinner.
The next morning we explored... we walked around Kona near the hotel, and we also drove south to see the countryside.
Along the way, we saw beautiful views of the beach, and from the main road looking down along the hillside back toward the ocean.
We also discovered the St. Benedict Painted Church and the Place of Refuge / Pu’uhonau O Honauanau.
The St. Benedict Painted Church is just south of Kona.
Many churches, especially Catholic Churches, have stained glass windows. Since many people earlier in history could not read nor write they could not read the Bible. The stained glass windows told stories from the Bible in visual form so people could understand them, to deepen their faith and come closer to God.
At this Church, Belgian priest John Velghe took a similar approach, but he created the stories of the Bible by painting directly on the walls.
The images are:
St Francis of Assisi receiving the stigmata. (The covered roadway found at Axenstrasse near Lucerne is a bit of artistic license)
Temptation of Jesus. The devil is being cast down along with a crown, a sceptre and bags of money;
The Hardwriting on the Wall at the Feast of King Belshazzar. On the wall is written in Hawaiian, “Ua Emi Loa Oe Ua Pau Kou Aupuni / Make No Ka Pono” literally, “You are found wanting. Your kingdom ceases. Should die.”
Cain and Abel-with great anguish and violence. Study Eve’s countenance;
A Good Death-notice the rays of hope;
Hell. This picture is in poor condition due to the constant beating down of the sun. Yet it still conveys a strong impression and makes one grateful for the preservation of all the others.
text source: http://thepaintedchurchhawaii.org/guide-to-the-painted-church/
the Place of Refuge / Pu’uhonau O Honauanau.
We had read about the Place of Refuge but hadn’t intentionally sought to visit it, but one turn later and we were at a National Park, then on its black lava beach that was covered with the contrast of bleached white coral.
Why is it called “place of refuge”?
“There was a time when no Big Island escape could have been more compelling than a trip to Puʻuhonua o Honaunau. This ancient place of refuge was the destination of people running for their lives, seeking asylum from severe penalties imposed on all who broke the imposing kapu (sacred) laws. Once inside the compound’s 10-foot walls, sanctuary was guaranteed. The resident kahuna, or priests, were obligated, under the pain of death, to offer absolution to all fugitives no matter how great or small the infraction.”
source: https://www.hawaii.com/big-island/attractions/ancient-hawaiian-refuge/
Abby found this incredibly small shell, with something living in it.
The palm trees on the beach are incredible.
Links to the rest of this travel journal:
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17)Oahu - Dole Plantation Maze and Polynesian Cultural Center
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26)SLUH in HI
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28)Postcards
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29)Reviews
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30)Hawaii 2000
