Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park
Designation: National Historical Park
Location: Hawaii
📘 Park 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.
🌤 Weather Information
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.
Images
Explore the picturesque Royal Grounds and catch a game of Kōnane on the shores of Hōnaunau Bay.
Credit: NPS / Chisholm
Hale o Keawe (the royal mausoleum) brings visitors and current cultural practitioners to Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau.
Credit: NPS Photo / Tyler Chisholm
The Great Wall separates the Royal Grounds from the Puʻuhonua and demonstrates the impressive Hawaiian dry stacked masonry technique.
Credit: NPS Photo
Hula dancers perform at the annual Cultural Festival.
Credit: NPS Photo
Visitors from around the world visit Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau NHP every year to learn more about Hawaiian history and culture
Credit: NPS Photo / Jeff Walsh
The Picnic Area is a fantastic place to catch a beautiful Hawaiian sunset.
Credit: NPS Photo / Jeff Walsh
Activities
Topics
Operating Hours
Entrance Fees
Entrance Passes
3-Day Weather Forecast
Friday, Aug 14
Patchy rain nearby
High: 79.9°F | Low: 72.2°F
Humidity: 68%
Wind: 5.8 mph
Rain Chance: 36%
UV Index: 13.3
Sunrise: 06:04 AM
Sunset: 06:52 PM
Moon: Waxing Crescent (5%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 69.8°F
Cloud Cover: 36%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Saturday, Aug 15
Patchy rain nearby
High: 77.3°F | Low: 71.1°F
Humidity: 79%
Wind: 40 mph
Rain Chance: 82%
UV Index: 8.1
Sunrise: 06:04 AM
Sunset: 06:51 PM
Moon: Waxing Crescent (11%)
Visibility: 5 mi
Dew Point: 70.7°F
Cloud Cover: 82%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Sunday, Aug 16
Patchy rain nearby
High: 81.3°F | Low: 75.6°F
Humidity: 75%
Wind: 36.7 mph
Rain Chance: 78%
UV Index: 8.8
Sunrise: 06:04 AM
Sunset: 06:51 PM
Moon: Waxing Crescent (18%)
Visibility: 5 mi
Dew Point: 73.3°F
Cloud Cover: 78%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Park Alerts
Park Events
Ulana 'ie with Melba Medeiros
Ulana 'ie is the art of weaving the roots of the 'ie'ie vine. This material is used to make fishtraps, sturdy baskets and containers, and as a means of providing a protective layer to gourds and other carriers. The ancients also used it to weave intricate effigies of their ancestors and deities that were often only utilized for high ceremony or important events.
Come join aunty Melba as she shares her passion for weaving 'ie'ie, and the amazing fish traps she's made.
Location: Smaller Halau by stop #16
Date: Jul 31, 2024 12:00am to Jul 31, 2024 12:00am
Paid Event
Ulana 'Ie'ie with Uncle Pomai
Join Uncle Pomai Brown in his sharing of the ancient skill of Ulana 'ie'ie (weaving the roots of climbing screwpine); used to make hina'i (fishtraps), mahiole (helmets), Ki'i akua (god images), and more.
Location: Uncle Pomai will be in the Hale wa'a (canoe house) next to station 16.
Date: Aug 5, 2024 12:00am to Aug 5, 2024 12:00am
Paid Event
'Ohe Kāpala with Chantel Chung and Kona Place
Uncle George Place had been a volunteer at Pu'uhonua o Hōnaunau NHP for many years; sharing his art of 'ohe kāpala (bamboo stamping) with visitors here, as well as throughout the community. Chantel Chung will be sharing about this craft with visitors between 9am-2pm in the Halau (stop 16 on self guided tour).
Location: Located in the halau (station 16 on self guided tour)
Date: Sep 4, 2024 12:00am to Sep 4, 2024 12:00am
Paid Event
Hana Lei with Aunty Melanie Moses
Come join aunty Melanie Moses as she shares her love of the traditional art of Hawaiian lei making.
Location: This lei making demonstration will be located in the halau by stop 16.
Date: Dec 3, 2024 12:00am to Dec 3, 2024 12:00am
Paid Event
Ulana 'ie with Melba Medeiros
Ulana 'ie is the art of weaving the roots of the 'ie'ie vine. This material is used to make fishtraps, sturdy baskets and containers, and as a means of providing a protective layer to gourds and other carriers. The ancients also used it to weave intricate effigies of their ancestors and deities that were often only utilized for high ceremony or important events.
Come join aunty Melba as she shares her passion for weaving 'ie'ie, and the amazing fish traps she's made.
Location: Smaller Halau by stop #16
Date: Jan 7, 2026 12:00am to Jan 7, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Ulana Lau Niu with Aunty Keikiali'i SanFelippo
Aunty Keikiali'i SanFelippo has been a practitioner of ulana lau niu (coconut frond weaving) and a volunteer of our park for over 30 years. Join Aunty Keiki at station #16 to talk story and to learn about her craft.
Location: Large Hale Wa'a (canoe house) labeled as #16 in our grounds.
Date: Jan 7, 2026 12:00am to Jan 7, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Lomilomi - Hawaiian Massage & Healing with Momi Nobriga Alber in the Hale, 9-2pm.
Learn about traditional hawaiian healing practices, such as lomilomi, from Momi Nobriga Alber.
Location: Located in the hale within the "Royal Grounds" in between stations 1 and 2.
Date: Jan 13, 2026 12:00am to Jan 13, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Kālai Lā'au - Wood Carving with Lolana Medeiros
Come learn about the art of Kālai Ki'i (Tiki Carving) with Uncle Lolana Medeiros.
Location: Uncle Lolana will be stationed under the milo trees to the southern side of the hale waʻa (canoe houses).
Date: Jan 16, 2026 12:00am to Jan 16, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Ulana Lau Niu with Aunty Keikiali'i SanFelippo
Aunty Keikiali'i SanFelippo has been a practitioner of ulana lau niu (coconut frond weaving) and a volunteer of our park for over 30 years. Join Aunty Keiki at station #16 to talk story and to learn about her craft.
Location: Large Hale Wa'a (canoe house) labeled as #16 in our grounds.
Date: Jan 23, 2026 12:00am to Jan 23, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Ulana 'ie with Melba Medeiros
Ulana 'ie is the art of weaving the roots of the 'ie'ie vine. This material is used to make fishtraps, sturdy baskets and containers, and as a means of providing a protective layer to gourds and other carriers. The ancients also used it to weave intricate effigies of their ancestors and deities that were often only utilized for high ceremony or important events.
Come join aunty Melba as she shares her passion for weaving 'ie'ie, and the amazing fish traps she's made.
Location: Smaller Halau by stop #16
Date: Feb 4, 2026 12:00am to Feb 4, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Visitor Center & Contacts
📍 Physical Address:
84-5559 Keala o Keawe Rd.
HWY 160
Hōnaunau, HI 96726
🏤 Mailing Address:
PO BOX 129
Hōnaunau, HI 96726
📞 Voice Phone: 8083282326
📞 Fax Phone: 8083289485
✉️ Email: puho_info@nps.gov