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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.
National Historical Park

Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park

Hawaii

💰
Entrance Fee
$20
🕐
Hours
8:15AM - Sunset
📍
Location
Hōnaunau, HI
📞
Visitor Center
8083282326

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.

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About Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park

Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park is a national historical park located in Hawaii. 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.

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 & Passes

General entry to Entrance - Education/Academic Groups is free. General admission passes are not required.

🥾 Things to Do

Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park offers visitors a diverse selection of outdoor experiences. You can participate in a wide array of activities, most notably Arts and Culture, Cultural Demonstrations, Fishing, Food, and 11 other recreational activities, depending on the season and weather conditions. Path options exist for both casual strollers and expert backcountry adventurers.

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

📦 Recommended Gear & Packing Checklist

Custom items selected for activities at Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau

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🎒 Trail Essentials

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🥾 Activity-Specific Gear

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🧥 Apparel & Layers

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📋 Visitor Planning Tips for Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau

  • Beat the Crowds: Arrive at the main gates or trailheads of Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau before 8:00 AM. Parking spaces at popular locations fill up extremely fast, especially during warm peak season weekends.
  • Monitor Active Alerts: There are currently 1 active alerts for Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau. Keep an eye on the alert notifications at the top of this guide for crucial information regarding closures or safety issues.
  • Leave No Trace: Help protect the delicate ecosystems of Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau. Stay on marked trails, pack out all of your waste, and keep a respectful distance from wildlife.
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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.

Frequently Asked Questions about Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau

The entrance fee for Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park is $20 per vehicle. The America the Beautiful annual pass ($80) covers entrance to all 474+ NPS sites and pays for itself after just 2-3 park visits.

About the Author

🧗

James R. Mitchell

Founder & Lead Writer — National Park Data

James has visited all 63 designated US national parks and has been writing about outdoor travel for over 12 years. He spent 8 years as a wilderness guide in the Rocky Mountains before founding National Park Data to help visitors plan better, safer, and more enjoyable park trips.

🏔️ 63 Parks Visited✍️ 12 Years Writing🧭 Wilderness GuideFull Bio →

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