A stone papamū (Kōnane playing surface) with Hale o Keawe and Hōnaunau Bay in the background.

Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park

National Historical Park · Hawaii

NPS / Chisholm

📍 StateHawaii
🏛️ TypeNational Historical Park
🎟️ Entry$20
🏃 Activities15
Official NPS Website →
Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park

Historic Place in Hawaii County, Hawaii, United States

Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park is a United States National Historical Park located on the west coast of the island of Hawaiʻi in the U.S. state of Hawaii. The historical park preserves the site where, up until the early 19th century, Hawaiians who broke a kapu could avoid certain death by fleeing to this place of refuge or puʻuhonua. The offender would be absolved by a priest and freed to leave. Defeated warriors and non-combatants could also find refuge here during times of battle. The grounds just outside the Great Wall that encloses the puʻuhonua were home to several generations of powerful chiefs.

WikipediaWikidataSource: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)

About Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park

Imagine you had just broken the sacred laws, the kapu, and the only punishment was death. Your only chance of survival is to elude your pursuers and reach the Puʻuhonua, a place of refuge. The Puʻuhonua protected the kapu breaker, defeated warriors, as well as civilians during the time of battle. No physical harm could come to those who reached the boundaries of the Puʻuhonua.

Park Photos

A stone papamū (Kōnane playing surface) with Hale o Keawe and Hōnaunau Bay in the background.
A double-hulled canoe sits in Keoneʻele Cove with Hale o Keawe in the background.
Close up image looking along the stones of the Great Wall in the Puʻuhonua with coconut trees
Hula dancers raise their arms to the sky in the sandy Royal Grounds.
An a-frame canoe hale (house) in the Royal Grounds
A glowing sunset reflects in the calm waters of a tide pool.

Activities

Operating Hours

Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau NHP Operating Hours

Sunset times vary throughout the year. For exact closing times, please see our Facebook page or call the visitor center.

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8:15AM - Sunset8:15AM - Sunset8:15AM - Sunset8:15AM - Sunset8:15AM - Sunset8:15AM - Sunset8:15AM - Sunset

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to enter Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park?

Entrance - Private Vehicle: $20.00. Admits one single, private, non-commercial vehicle and all of its passengers (up to 8 persons). Organized non-profit groups (service organizations, scouts, church groups, college/school clubs) are not eligible for the vehicle permit. Good for entry into Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park for seven days from the date of purchase. Entrance - Motorcycle: $15.00. Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers. Entrance - Per Person: $10.00. Admits one individual when entering by foot or bicycle. Good for entry into Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park for seven days from the date of purchase. Individuals 15 years old and younger are admitted free of charge. Entrance - Education/Academic Groups: $0.00. Academic institutions may be eligible for a fee waiver by simply filling out sections 1, 2, and 5 of our educational fee waiver application. If an educational fee waiver is not obtained, the standard entrance fees apply. Entrance - Non-commercial Groups: $10.00. Non-commercial groups entering the park in a bus or vehicle with a capacity of 16 persons or more will be charged $10.00 for each person on board. Commercial Entrance - Per Person: $10.00. All commercial tours that enter the park on a regular basis must have a Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) and are required to pay the commercial tour fee at the entrance station at each visit. For more information on how to get a CUA visit the Permits & Reservations page.

What are the best activities at Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park?

Popular activities at Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park include: Arts and Culture, Cultural Demonstrations, Fishing, Food, Picnicking, Guided Tours, Self-Guided Tours - Walking, Hiking.

What is the weather like at Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park?

The weather in the park is typically hot and sunny with daytime temperatures in the upper 80's. An excellent time to experience the park is in the morning and in the late afternoon when the temperatures are a bit cooler. The park occasionally closes because of high winds or dangerous storm conditions. Please check with the visitor center or your hotel for any weather advisories or hazardous conditions on the day of your visit.

How do I get to Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park?

From Kailua-Kona: Take Highway 11 south, approximately 20 miles. Between mileposts 103 and 104, at the Hōnaunau Post Office, turn right towards the ocean onto Hwy 160. Travel 3.5 miles and turn left at the Pu'uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park sign. Travel times will vary due to traffic conditions in North Kona.

Entrance Fees

Entrance - Private Vehicle$20

Admits one single, private, non-commercial vehicle and all of its passengers (up to 8 persons). Organized non-profit groups (service organizations, scouts, church groups, college/school clubs) are not eligible for the vehicle permit. Good for entry into Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park for seven days from the date of purchase.

Entrance - Motorcycle$15

Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.

Entrance - Per Person$10

Admits one individual when entering by foot or bicycle. Good for entry into Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park for seven days from the date of purchase. Individuals 15 years old and younger are admitted free of charge.

Entrance - Education/Academic GroupsFree

Academic institutions may be eligible for a fee waiver by simply filling out sections 1, 2, and 5 of our educational fee waiver application. If an educational fee waiver is not obtained, the standard entrance fees apply.

Entrance - Non-commercial Groups$10

Non-commercial groups entering the park in a bus or vehicle with a capacity of 16 persons or more will be charged $10.00 for each person on board.

Commercial Entrance - Per Person$10

All commercial tours that enter the park on a regular basis must have a Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) and are required to pay the commercial tour fee at the entrance station at each visit. For more information on how to get a CUA visit the Permits & Reservations page.

Weather

The weather in the park is typically hot and sunny with daytime temperatures in the upper 80's. An excellent time to experience the park is in the morning and in the late afternoon when the temperatures are a bit cooler. The park occasionally closes because of high winds or dangerous storm conditions. Please check with the visitor center or your hotel for any weather advisories or hazardous conditions on the day of your visit.

Directions

From Kailua-Kona: Take Highway 11 south, approximately 20 miles. Between mileposts 103 and 104, at the Hōnaunau Post Office, turn right towards the ocean onto Hwy 160. Travel 3.5 miles and turn left at the Pu'uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park sign. Travel times will vary due to traffic conditions in North Kona.

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Location

State(s)
Coordinates19.4127, -155.9009

Official Resources

NPS Official Website