During the 16C, defeated warriors and kapu (religious taboo) violators found refuge at this lava-black place by the sea. Places of refuge (pu'uhonua) were found on every island in ancient times. A lawbreaker who reached one of these sacred sites was purified by a priest; at that point, he could not be harmed by his pursuers, even after he left. Puuhonua o Honaunau is especially important because it holds the bones of 23 high chiefs.