Marlene (Margana) asked that I post this image that I mentioned at the start of my tiki series. Well, the old polaroid image finally turned up today so I scanned it and here it is with no postwork. I'm sure it was just a bad batch of film, but the it was the first time that ever happened to me and it kinda freeked me out. It felt to me like the power of the spirits residing within the tikis were doing something to the film. This was shot back around 1987. If any of my buds on the Big Island can help me identify this place, I'd appreciate it. I know it is some coastal historical site, but cannot remember the particulars just now. Aloha and mahalo! --Kort

Sure... "City of Refuge" . Check out the images on Google

Cool photo of Tiki Spirits. :-)

These are totally freaky indeed!!!! Oh my!

Attached Link: City of Refuge Tiki

Thanks to those of you that IMed me answers and to your of course, sharky. The name was lost somewhere in the halls of my echoing mind. :) Stella (thevolunteer) just posted a new image of "these" tikis in her gallery and dedicated it to me. Thank you so much Stella! :o] Go take a look, does anyone notice something strange? LoL. 8^D Does anyone know which gods the tikis above are meant to represent? For those who want to learn some more about the City of Refuge, here are some links: http://hawaii.aloha-hawaii.com/tours/city+of+refuge/ http://gohawaii.about.com/od/bigisland/ss/puuhonua.htm http://www.marzone.com/corpsman/RF-3.htm http://www.fenichel.com/refuge2.shtml http://www.konalight.com/bodyvignettes.html http://www.johnharveyphoto.com/BigIsland/PlaceOfRefuge/ http://photosphotos.net/hi1.html http://www.cdislands.com/photos_hawaii/haw11/xha21510.jpg

As a youth, I would walk barefoot thru these sacred grounds especially the volcano area and Kawaihae Pu'ukohala Heiau. I've been to the village of Honaunau where the City of Refuge is located and party there. I'm not sure when the Tiki's and Huts were put there but what I had called home is now a National Historical Site. Either you're fenced out or have to pay to get in. Luckily I have that "Golden Access Card" that allows me to enter any National Parks in the US for free (Disabled Vet). Home land is turning into a tourist trap. You cant do that to sacred grounds. Aloha

I think it is awful to do that to a sacred historical place such as this. Tedz wrote about something similar with the Maori people and how they were able to take back the land and keep outsiders away. I don't know if that is possible in this case, but I do want you to know that when I visited this place, it was with a sense of reverence and a willingness to learn about its history. I am against the "Disneyfication" of places like this and am quite suprised to learn that the tikis here are a modern convention put there for the tourists sake. It is so hard to tell what is real and what is show these days. Thanks for sharing that sharky .

If I run across any old picture of the City of Refuge as seen before, I'll let you know. Thanks Kort...Aloha

saw volunteer's version in the gallery... your polaroid does not appear very happy maybe they're crying for release from the tourism...

Compare the 2 side by side if you can. Do you notice any other differences? Cracks, number of ridges, etc... ;]

I just review Korts picture and thevolunteer.. They are not the same tiki. Thanks for pointing that out Kort. With modern day dental work, Stella's tiki has more teeth, lol. Aloha

that is weird... the crack on the lefthand one has healed & moved & the ridges of righthand one has added a couple... :/

Then one would ask them selves, are these the original tiki's? Or have they been replaced. Or have they been put there to attract tourist? As in Korts statement, "It is so hard to tell what is real and what is show these days". Aloha

oh that'd be too easy... it's the spirits! the wood is everchanging... key tribal spooky wails

OOooooooOOOOooooeeeEEEEEeeeeeiiiiIIIiiiiooOOOOooouuuuuUUUUH! 8^]

Here is a photo of me with the same Tiki. Well, don't think they are the same. As you said, they get weathered by the sea air etc. This was taken in 1972. I believe they are the same as the one you have from 1987? I don't know what they stand for. Thanks for your comments too. Aloha

Message edited on: 07/19/2005 14:04

Stella, Yes...these look like the same ones as Korts. Wink for picture here. Beautiful. Aloha

Yep, yours are the same as mine 15 years later. Now I'm gonna wonder what ever happened to the "originals". I wish there was a way to find out. Thanks for sharing this and it was nice to see the younger you. ;]

Kort, check out this site "PU'UHONUA O HONAUNAU NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK" and scroll down for some sketch image regarding Tiki and City of Refuge. Aloha

What a great, informative link Errol. It doesn't really mention these two guys, but gives an interesting overview. I have been to the Bishop museum before, and now would like to visit again when I once again visit the Hawaiian islands. Thanks for finding that for me. :) Now see, you've taught me something, heh heh.

Island of Hawaii - The 2 different Tiki ("Kii" in Hawaiian) shots were taken at the Puuhonua o Honaunau (formerly called the City of Refuge). In ancient Hawaii there was only one penalty for breaking any of the laws death. If the person who broke the "kapu" could get to the City of Refuge, their crime was absolved by the priests and they could then eventually return to their village. The "if" was the key factor trying to escape from the warriors chasing after you, running over razor-sharp lava, swimming through shark-infested waters all at great distances while trying to make it to the refuge alive. The various "City of Refuges" on the Islands were positioned in extremely remote locations difficult to get to on purpose (a test of the will if you were tough enough to make it, you were smiled upon by the gods).

Excellent information Stella. But which Ki'i are you talking about? The new name of Pu'uhonua o Honaunau really doesn't strike me as we are use to the name "City of Refuge". Aloha

Attached Link: Pu`uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park

"Ki'i: The Hawaiian / Polynesian creator god or first created man." At least that is what I turn up. I assume she means the two Ki'i from the photo. I think City of Refuge will always stick, it's easier for the howlies to remember. ;] Thanks again guys for all the great info. =]

LOL...In this case, Ki'i in Hawaiian means picture, image, photo shot... Ki'i onioni means movie. Thanks for the research... Aloha