The Kona Coast (western part) of the Big Island is its sunny side. Besides the beaches, the Kona Coast is home to most of the island's historical places. In ancient times, commoner's lifes were governed by a complex rules system, called kapu. The penalty for breaking them was usually death, but if the offender could escape its pursuers and make it to the Place of Refuge (Puuhohonua o Honaunau), he could perform certain rituals and all would be forgiven. After erecting massive Puukohola Heiau, the last major Ancient Hawaiian temple, Kamehameha the Great did incur the favor of the war god Kukailimoku as he intended, since he went on to control all the Hawaiian Islands, establishing the Hawaiian Kingdom.
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