Héohediwá Onisedı National Park

Héohediwá Onisedı
IUCN category II (national park)
Wahé'vàa Áıbelà Beach, a popular destination in Héohediwá Onisedı
Location	Onisa Commune, Faúra'hehé, Koré'hetanùa
Nearest city	Dıjí Onisedı
Area	2,943.3 km2 (1,136.4 sq mi)
Designation	National Park
Created	January 1, 1781 (1781-01-01).
Visitors	954,221 (in 2020)
Governing body	Ecological Reservations Koré'hetanùa

Héohediwá Onisedı is a Koré'hetanùan national park along the northern shores of the east coast. The park is 294,330 hectares (2943.3 km²; 1136.4 sq mi) in size and is entirely located within Onisa Commune. It is bounded by the town of Ájí Onisedı to the north, the Okatian sea to the east, Faúra'waheqı Commune to the south, and the rest of Onisa Commune to the east. The park is managed by Ecological Reservations Koré'hetanùa while administrative and operational responsibility is vested in the Héohediwá Onisedı Park Authority based in Dıjí Onisedı. The area is known for its beautiful, long, orange sand beaches and its clear waters. The shallow waters and colourful reefs along the coast of the park make it an ideal spot for swimming snorkeling, and scuba diving. The border areas of the park are lined with national forest area, allowing for camping and hiking as well. With over 900,000 visitors each year the Ꞩ4 toll is one of the primary sources of revenue for the Onisa Communal government, earning the government $3,816,884 in 2020. The park beaches rank as some of the nicest in all of Koré'hetanùa, largely attributed to consistent and thorough park upkeep by the park authority.

The physical geography of the park is defined by its countless beaches and the steep hills behind them. The elevation changes drastically but only ranges from sea level to 36.6 meters (120 feet). The beaches of the park are home to . In contrast the forests are home to Red-necked pademelons, common brushtail possums, and multiple species of kookaburras, cockatoos, koalas, wombats, and capybaras, along with many other animals.

Etymology

The name "Héohediwá Onisedı" is Korémalà for "Blessed Ceremony". The name is derived from the Koré-Túwapoviheta traditional belief system in which Lady Onisa, God of the Sea, took human form and pretended to be a Túwapovihetan woman. She was met with hospitality from the Koré locals, who despite being at war with the Túwapoviheta Nation invited her to stay with them. They welcomed her by bringing the town together and preparing a feast. At the end of dinner Lady Onisa revealed her true identity and expressed pride in the locals for not acting in hostility despite the agenda of the Koré Nation. She explained that should the locals have allowed themselves to be subsumed by the aims of their representatives she would not have been able to allow travel out of Australis, and would surround the continent in violent waves. The Koré locals revered Lady Onisa for her wisdom, and celebrated through the night for being graced by the Gods. The celebration, which took place in what is now the park, was dubbed the "Héohediwá Onisedı" or "Blessed Ceremony" after the day Lady Onisa guided the Koré people towards peace.