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Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park, Honaunau, HI

Photo: Carol M. Highsmith, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

SightseeingHistory BuffFamily Favorite

Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park

Off Hwy 160, 3.5 miles from Hwy 11 · Honaunau, HI

Why you should go…

Until the early 19th century, Hawaiians who broke a kapu, one of the sacred laws, could escape death by reaching this place of refuge on the Big Island's west coast. Today you walk through the Royal Grounds to the puʻuhonua, past ʻĀleʻaleʻa Heiau and the reconstructed Hale o Keawe temple, where carved wooden kiʻi stand watch. Cultural demonstrators share traditional Hawaiian arts and crafts through the week. The 420-acre park does not accept cash.

  • #national historical park
  • #hawaiian culture
  • #place of refuge
  • #kona coast
  • #heiau

Good to know

General sightseeing guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • The forecast is part of the ticket

    Haze, low cloud, and rain flatten a view. Clear-day visits are worth rearranging your plans for.

  • Golden hour sells out first

    Sunset slots at observation decks and cruises are the first to go, so book those further ahead.

  • Dress a layer warmer

    It is always breezier up high and out on the water than it feels at street level.

  • Timed entry is common

    Plenty of landmarks release tickets in windows rather than at the door, so check before you walk over.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Sport & Outdoor
    Outdoor Adventure

    Kealakekua Bay

    Free

    Snorkel a protected marine bay and see the white monument marking where Captain Cook was killed in 1779 on the Kona coast.

    3.7 mi awaySwitch it up: Sport & Outdoor

  • Sport & Outdoor
    Outdoor Adventure

    Hāpuna Beach State Recreation Area

    Under $25

    Swim, bodysurf and picnic on one of the few white-sand beaches along the Big Island's west coast, south of Kawaihae.

    40 mi awaySwitch it up: Sport & Outdoor

  • Sport & Outdoor
    Iconic

    Mauna Kea

    Free

    Stop at the visitor station at 9,200 feet, then take a four-wheel drive road to Hawaii's highest summit and its observatories.

    40 mi awaySwitch it up: Sport & Outdoor

  • Sightseeing
    Iconic

    Kīlauea

    $25–$50

    See one of Earth's most active volcanoes and its summit caldera inside Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.

    41 mi awayMore like this

  • Sport & Outdoor
    Iconic

    Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

    $25–$50

    Drive and hike around Kīlauea's summit caldera, then follow Chain of Craters Road down to the sea.

    43 mi awaySwitch it up: Sport & Outdoor