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.

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.

  • Arts and Culture
  • Cultural Demonstrations
  • Fishing
  • Food
  • Picnicking
  • Guided Tours
  • Self-Guided Tours - Walking
  • Hiking
  • Junior Ranger Program
  • Snorkeling
  • Wildlife Watching
  • Birdwatching
  • Museum Exhibits
  • Shopping
  • Bookstore and Park Store

  • Archeology
  • Ruins
  • Arts
  • Sculpture
  • Pacific Islander Heritage
  • Reconstruction
  • Religion and Spirituality
  • Heiau
  • Schools and Education
  • Animals
  • Birds
  • Fish
  • Tortoises and Turtles
  • Climate Change
  • Coasts, Islands and Atolls
  • Geology
  • Natural Sounds
  • Scenic Views
  • Trails
  • The Tropics
  • Unique Species
  • Rare
  • Endangered

Kōnane in the Royal Grounds

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

Explore the picturesque Royal Grounds and catch a game of Kōnane on the shores of Hōnaunau Bay.

Hale o Keawe & Keoneʻele Cove

A double-hulled canoe sits in Keoneʻele Cove with Hale o Keawe in the background.

Hale o Keawe (the royal mausoleum) brings visitors and current cultural practitioners to Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau.

The Great Wall and Puʻuhonua

Close up image looking along the stones of the Great Wall in the Puʻuhonua with coconut trees

The Great Wall separates the Royal Grounds from the Puʻuhonua and demonstrates the impressive Hawaiian dry stacked masonry technique.

Hula Demonstration in the Royal Grounds

Hula dancers raise their arms to the sky in the sandy Royal Grounds.

Hula dancers perform at the annual Cultural Festival.

Canoe Hale in the Royal Grounds

An a-frame canoe hale (house) in the Royal Grounds

Visitors from around the world visit Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau NHP every year to learn more about Hawaiian history and culture

Sunset in the Tide Pools

A glowing sunset reflects in the calm waters of a tide pool.

The Picnic Area is a fantastic place to catch a beautiful Hawaiian sunset.