Carved wooden kiʻi Photo: NPS Photo

Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park

National Historical Park · Hawaii

Imagine you had just broken the sacred laws, the kapu, and the only punishment was death.

  • LocationHōnaunau, HI
  • Entrance $20 private vehicle
  • HoursDaily, 8:15AM - Sunset
  • Weather now74°F Patchy rain nearby
  • Alerts 2 active alerts

Overview

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.

Topics
  • Animals
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15 more topics
  • Geology
  • Heiau
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  • Pacific Islander Heritage
  • Rare
  • Reconstruction
  • Religion and Spirituality
  • Ruins
  • Scenic Views
  • Schools and Education
  • Sculpture
  • The Tropics
  • Tortoises and Turtles
  • Trails
  • Unique Species
Sacred temple and coconut trees next to the ocean as viewed from a rocky wall across the bay.
On a walk through the Puʻuhonua's Royal Grounds, you can feel how this sacred area might have felt hundreds of years ago. Hale o Keawe can be seen on a walk through the Royal Grounds. — NPS Photo

Alerts (2)

Park ClosurePark Reopened; Puʻuhonua Area and Section of Trail Remain Closed Puʻuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park has reopened. However, please note that the Puʻuhonua area of the park rem… Read more

Puʻuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park has reopened. However, please note that the Puʻuhonua area of the park remains closed until further notice. Additionally, the 1871 Trail beyond Alahaka Ramp is also closed.

InformationAnnual 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… Read more

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.

More on NPS.gov about Annual and lifetime passes not available for purchase (opens in a new tab)

Things to Do

15 activities. Pick one to find other parks that offer it.

Show 3 more activities
A large heiau at the end of a sandy path.
A walk around the royal ground leads you to ‘Āle‘ale‘a Heiau, a temple built centuries ago. — NPS Photo

Facilities & Services

Find visitor services available in the park. Check current hours and availability before you go.

Other Visitor Services

  • Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau NHP Visitor Center & Bookstore

    Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park Visitor Center

    Facility

    The Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau Historical Park Visitor Center is open year-round.

    Details
    The Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau Historical Park Visitor Center is open year-round.

Plan Your Visit

Hours

Daily, 8:15AM - Sunset · Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau NHP Operating Hours

Hours details
  • Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau NHP Operating HoursDaily, 8:15AM - Sunset

    Sunset times vary throughout the year. For exact closing times, please see our Facebook page or call the visitor center.

    Monday8:15AM - Sunset
    Tuesday8:15AM - Sunset
    Wednesday8:15AM - Sunset
    Thursday8:15AM - Sunset
    Friday8:15AM - Sunset
    Saturday8:15AM - Sunset
    Sunday8:15AM - Sunset

Entrance fees

  • $20Private Vehicle
  • $15Motorcycle
  • $10Per Person
All 6 fees & details
  • Private Vehicle$20

    Admits one single, private, non-commercial vehicle and all of its passengers (up to 8 persons). Organized non-profit groups (service organizations, scouts, church groups, college/school clubs) are not eligible for the vehicle permit. Good for entry into Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park for seven days from the date of purchase.

  • Motorcycle$15

    Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.

  • Per Person$10

    Admits one individual when entering by foot or bicycle. Good for entry into Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park for seven days from the date of purchase. Individuals 15 years old and younger are admitted free of charge.

  • Education/Academic GroupsFree

    Academic institutions may be eligible for a fee waiver by simply filling out sections 1, 2, and 5 of our educational fee waiver application. If an educational fee waiver is not obtained, the standard entrance fees apply.

  • Non-commercial Groups$10

    Non-commercial groups entering the park in a bus or vehicle with a capacity of 16 persons or more will be charged $10.00 for each person on board.

  • Commercial Entrance - Per Person$10

    All commercial tours that enter the park on a regular basis must have a Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) and are required to pay the commercial tour fee at the entrance station at each visit. For more information on how to get a CUA visit the Permits & Reservations page.

Passes

  • $35Annual Entrance - Park
  • $55Annual Entrance - Park
Pass details
  • Annual Entrance - Park

    Allows access for 12 months from date of purchase at Pu‘uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park. The pass admits the pass owner and/or spouse along with accompanying persons in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle. When entry is by other means (bicycle, foot, Hele-On bus, etc.) the pass covers the purchaser and accompanying immediate family (spouse, children, and parents). Pass is not refundable or transferable.

  • Annual Entrance - Park

    Hawai'i Tri-Park Annual Pass The annual pass is valid for entrance fees for pass holder and occupants of a single, private, non-commercial vehicle at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, Haleakalā National Park, and Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park. The park is not responsible for misplaced, lost, or stolen cards. This pass does not cover camping fees and is non-transferable and non-refundable. Hawaiʻi Tri-Park Annual Pass can be purchased at the entrance station.

Weather

74°F
Patchy rain nearby · feels like 78°
  • Today 75° 73°
    Patchy rain nearby
    57% rain
  • Tomorrow 74° 72°
    Patchy rain nearby
    76% rain
  • Saturday 75° 72°
    Patchy rain nearby
    76% rain

Updated 4 hr ago

What to expect by season

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.

Contact the park

Upcoming Events

7 coming up
  • Ulana Lau Niu with Aunty Keikiali'i SanFelippo

    Oct 2, 2026 · 09:00 AM–02:00 PM · through Oct 30 Hālau labeled as #16 in our grounds. Free

  • Ulana 'Ie'ie with Uncle Pomai

    Oct 5, 2026 · 09:00 AM–01:00 PM · through Dec 24 Uncle Pomai will be in the Hale wa'a (canoe house) next to station 16. Free

  • Hana Lei with Aunty Melanie Moses

    Oct 6, 2026 · 09:00 AM–02:00 PM · through Dec 3 This lei making demonstration will be located in the halau by stop 16. Free

  • 'Ohe Kāpala with Chantel Chung

    Oct 7, 2026 · 09:00 AM–02:00 PM · through Oct 28 Located in the Hālau (Stop 16) Free

Show 3 more events
  • Ulana 'ie with Melba Medeiros

    Oct 7, 2026 · 09:00 AM–02:00 PM · through Oct 28 Smaller Halau by stop #16 Free

  • Ulana Lau Niu with Aunty Keikiali'i SanFelippo

    Oct 7, 2026 · 09:00 AM–02:00 PM · through Oct 21 Visitor Center Breezeway. Free

  • Lomilomi - Hawaiian Massage & Healing with Momi Nobriga Alber in the Hale, 9-2pm.

    Oct 13, 2026 · 09:00 AM–02:00 PM · through Oct 27 Located in the hale within the "Royal Grounds" in between stations 1 and 2. Free

Photos

Getting There

84-5559 Keala o Keawe Rd., HWY 160
Hōnaunau, HI 96726

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.

Full directions

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.

Mailing address: PO BOX 129, Hōnaunau, HI 96726

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