Historic Site and Historical Park · NPS · HI
Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park
Photo: NPS Photo, Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park
Alerts and conditions
Information Section of Trail Closed
Please note that the 1871 Trail beyond Alahaka Ramp is closed.
Information Annual and lifetime passes not available for purchase
Annual and lifetime passes are not currently available for purchase at Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park. As an alternative, you can purchase an annual pass online.
Overview
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 the National Park Service
History
The designation history for this site (every law, proclamation and order, and the administration behind each) is being researched and checked by the Library’s historians.
What to see and do
Activities
- 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
Plan your visit
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.
Fees and passes
- Entrance - Private Vehicle — $20.00
- Entrance - Motorcycle — $15.00
- Entrance - Per Person — $10.00
- Entrance - Education/Academic Groups
- Entrance - Non-commercial Groups — $10.00
- Commercial Entrance - Per Person — $10.00
- Annual Entrance - Park — $35.00
- Annual Entrance - Park — $55.00
The America the Beautiful pass covers entrance fees at federal recreation lands across all four agencies.
Getting there
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.
Visitor centers
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.
Phone: 8083282326
Whose lands these are
These lands are the ancestral and present-day homelands of Native nations. A section on whose lands these are is being prepared with tribal review. In the meantime, Native Land Digital offers a starting point.
Photos
Pair it with
- Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail NPS · 19 miles
- Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park NPS · 20 miles
- Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park NPS · 29 miles
- Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site NPS · 43 miles
- Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge FWS · 51 miles
- Haleakalā National Park NPS · 91 miles