Sacred Sites, Kailua-Kona

Just to the north of St. Peter's Catholic Church on Ali'i Drive, this altar stands as a temple solely to the art of surfing. Here, offerings were made asking for gnarly surfing conditions. Even today, offerings are left, though now it is left by locals of all social standings.

Long ago, surfing was a sport only for the royalty. Commoners caught surfing were punished by death.

When trekking out to visit the Kilauea National Park, you might want to first do some research on Pelé. Leave an offering at a crater, or merely throw a flower over the rim, and she will know you respect her and mean her well. But come prepared with your own offering: it is extremely kapu (taboo) to remove anything from Pelé's domain! Do not pick her flowers to offer to her, and never take sand or other items away with you! Locals can talk-story for hours about the travesties befallen clueless travellers who have not heeded these warnings!

Many places in Hawaii are Sacred, so they should be viewed with quiet respect. If you stumble upon petroglyphs, idols, ancient buildings or caves, you should be alright taking a photo or two. Just don't disturb anything, or take anything, including flowers or other vegetation. Other places are kapu (taboo), and should not be disturbed or visited at all, but these are usually caves or hard to find. Check with the locals if you're unsure.

Mokuaikaua Church is the site of the first Christian church in Hawaii established in 1820. The present structure of lava rock and mortar made from coral, was dedicated in 1837. The serene interior is constructed with the handsome native Hawaiian woods ohia and koa. Inside a church is a model of Thaddeus, the ship that brought the first missionaries to Hawaii.
On the picture there is a triumphal arch to the church.

a hot spring heated by the lava....this places are no your usual spas...there are more like places of contenplation and sacret places for the locals,....so give them respect.