We then made our way to Pu'uhonua o Honaunau. We listened to the park ranger tell us about the history of the park and the heiau there dedicated to Lono. We have been asking a lot of questions about what we see, and putting a big picture together of how God made himself known here. We also got to see some examples of fish traps and fish nets that were used, as well as koa canoes.
We built a little extra time in to poke around in the tide pools outside the pu'uhonua, and we got to see lots of fish, urchins, pipipis, damselflies, and even an eel! That black lava was hot though, and we were glad to rest on the beach under some hau trees to have our lunch. We sang happy birthday to Phillip too--age 10 today!
We are now touring Amy Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden near Kona where we are seeing very rare and endangered native plants and learning how early Hawaiians used plants for food, medicine, dye, building materials and more. Our guide Bryan has been teaching our group every year, and boy, does he know a lot about plants! The garden has a beautiful new visitors center and gift shop this year, although we appreciate it far more for its clean bathrooms and water fountain! Hopefully we will get to see the pregnant banana tree this year!
Next is Hulihe'e Palace in Kona. We are going to drop off near the heiau where Queens Kapiolani and Ka'ahumanu, along with young 'Iolani, King Kamehameha II, broke the kapu once and for all. Six months later, the Thaddeus arrived bringing the first missionaries. Across the street is the first Christian church in the Islands.
There are a few signs of flagging in the troops; you will be receiving some tired ones this evening! Spirits are still good, however, and more than a few have said that they might never want to go home. I told them that was fine, as long as Mrs. Cable gets her own bed tonight!
More later! We love you all!