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01-06-2026, 05:47 AM
(This post was last modified: 01-06-2026, 05:49 AM by HiloJulie.)
Oh yes! The "Raëlian UFO Peace Park"
I remember reading about this Raëlian UFO religion a long time ago. It seems they are not just a bunch of regular Punatics, they are a world wide religion.
The issue I read about was that their "logo" was/is quite a controversial subject and was involved in several legal challenges in various parts of the world. They did change it to a more palatable design for a while, but then changed it back to the original. And their choice location of where to build their original embassy really raised lots and lots of eyebrows.
Then a few years back, some people we know who live nearby rented their Ohana cottage to a pair of people who turned out to be involved in the Peace Park in Puna. Quite an interesting pair they were! They caused no problems and only stayed for a few months - always paid their rent on time and were quite helpful to our friends. I did see a few pictures of the Peace Park in Puna from them - but never knew about the naked lady one.
But they were surely "out there!"
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Yes, that’s it!
If you’d like to visit it’s at corner of Hwy 11 and Ali`i Kane Street, before you reach Volcano Village from Keaau direction. The sculptures are still there, weather worn and faded, and the landscaping has become overgrown. Still, it’s worth a visit as a truly unique Puna landmark. Park. Embassy. Roadside attraction.
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It’s clear that Punaweb members really know our district. So here’s one that’s a little more obscure. It’s on easily accessible public land. I call it cat rock, but doubt it’s notated as such anywhere else.
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01-07-2026, 05:34 AM
(This post was last modified: 01-07-2026, 06:19 AM by TomK.)
(01-05-2026, 11:13 PM)Obie Wrote: I have never even heard of that or forgot but I know why TomK didn't want to go there.
Pam loved her astrology, tarot cards etc. It's actually the reason we met. She wasn't a professional astrologer, but she knew her stuff, and I was the big bad skeptic in the online group we met in. We found a way to have fun while arguing stuff that really wasn't important! But we always compromised. She found out about the site. I asked if she really wanted me to take her there, and if I could say no. The answers were yes and no. She loved it, which made me happy, so it all worked out.
New one
This is so easy. Please, no reverse image searching , looking at the source code or looking back in PunaWeb since it was posted here before! Anyway, just to keep things going for now.
Apologies, HOPTE. Missed your latest post. How about two on the go at once?
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(01-07-2026, 04:47 AM)HereOnThePrimalEdge Wrote: It’s clear that Punaweb members really know our district. So here’s one that’s a little more obscure. It’s on easily accessible public land. I call it cat rock, but doubt it’s notated as such anywhere else.
Well I can say I've never seen this one before. Asking for a slight hint - as I am assuming this is in or very near the Volcano National Park?
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It's obviously a lava tree (or tree mold) but looking at the background, it's definitely not Lava Tree State Park. Although I don't know the actual location, I think it's in the National Park and has something to do with Ulu because I know that eruption left tree molds.
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I call it cat rock, but doubt it’s notated as such anywhere else.
I don’t know, specifically, Edge, but that terrain reminds me of the hike between the Luamanu Crater parking lot (on the upper end of the Chain of Craters road) west to the edge of the Keanakao’l Crater. That entire area is a rich experience of volcanic forms.. the tree molds in that area, created by the 1974 Keanakao’i lava flow, are other worldly really.
The thing that throws me is the shape of the land behind the mold.. that ridge doesn’t quite fit my memory unless its a view towards the south and is capturing that rise just to the west of the Luamanu Crater. But, hey, am I close? Somehow as I write this I doubt it..
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01-07-2026, 06:17 PM
(This post was last modified: 01-07-2026, 06:43 PM by HereOnThePrimalEdge.)
Asking for a slight hint - as I am assuming this is in or very near the Volcano National Park?
Yes, it’s located in HVNP. It’s on an accessible trail.
How about two on the go at once?
Yes, why not? I’ll recuse myself from guessing the location of your beautiful photo however, as it’s in an area I’m quite familiar with, and have walked frequently.
the hike between the Luamanu Crater
Not Luamanu Crater, but that’s a good guess. I once was “lost” among the pillars there when I crossed over the main trail without noticing. It’s a wonderland of lava sculptures. The hour it took to find the exit trail without breaking through the thin crust was worth it, once we found our way out without any cuts or scratches.
Here’s a photo from Luamanu Crater area:
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01-08-2026, 05:04 AM
(This post was last modified: 01-08-2026, 05:07 AM by TomK.)
The Mauna Ulu Trail, and is a remnant of the 1969 Mauna Ulu eruption. I'll try and figure out the coordinates asap. Am I close?
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01-08-2026, 05:14 AM
(This post was last modified: 01-08-2026, 05:14 AM by HereOnThePrimalEdge.)
Mauna Ulu Trail, and is a remnant of the 1969 Mauna Ulu eruption
Yes! Napau Trail, heading towards Mauna Ulu…
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