Visiting Pu'uhonua O Hōnaunau National Historical Park, Hawaii in 2024

A complete guide to Hawaii Big Island’s Pu’uhonua O Hōnaunau National Historical Park.

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What is Pu’uhonua O Hōnaunau National Historical Park?

Pu’uhonua O Hōnaunau National Historical Park is a sacred Place of Refuge and was home to several generations of powerful chiefs, known as Ali’i in Hawaiian. Pu’uhonua O Hōnaunau preserves the site where Hawaiians who broke a kapu (one of the ancient laws) could avoid certain death. If the offender fled to this place of refuge they would be absolved by a priest and freed to return to society. As no physical harm could come to those who reached the boundaries of the Puʻuhonua, defeated warriors and conscientious objectors could also find refuge here during times of battle, even up until the 19th century.

Where is Pu’uhonua O Hōnaunau National Historical Park?

Pu’uhonua O Hōnaunau sits on the west coast of Hawaii’s Big Island, just south of Kailua-Kona. To get there, you can use a GPS, or follow our directions below.

Interactive Hawaii Big Island Map

Directions to Pu’uhonua O Hōnaunau National Historical Park

How to get to Pu’uhonua O Hōnaunau National Historical Park from Kona:

It takes about 40 minutes to drive from Kailua-Kona to Pu’uhonua O Hōnaunau National Historical Park. From Kona, head south on Highway 11. After about 20 miles (32km), turn right at Highway 160 towards the coast. The entrance to the park is on your left.

How to get to Pu’uhonua O Hōnaunau National Historical Park from Hilo:

There are two ways to get to Pu’uhonua O Hōnaunau National Historical Park from Hilo. The first takes Saddle Road to Kona, then follows the above directions. It’s roughly 100 miles (160km) and takes just over 2 hours. This route is about 100 miles, with a travel time of approximately 2 hours, 11 minutes from downtown Hilo. Alternatively, drive around the southern tip of the island through Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. At Hōnaunau, make a left onto Highway 160 towards the coast. This route is about 109 miles (175km) and takes just under 2 1/2 hours.

What is there to do at Pu’uhonua O Hōnaunau?

The Visitor’s Centre

Pu’uhonua O Hōnaunau features a complex of archaeological sites. You can get a map from the Visitor’s Centre on entry to the park and enjoy a self-guided walk on the 0.5 mile trail through the park, or use the Official NPS app to listen to recorded audio commentary on an audio tour. Park Rangers also provide informative talks throughout the day in the Amphitheatre next to the Visitor’s Centre. Times for these talks can be found outside the Visitor’s Centre, which is open 8:30–16:30 each day.

There’s a lot to see in the park, which is split into two main sections – The Royal Grounds and Pu’uhonua.

The Royal Grounds

The Great Wall – A 400-year-old wall constructed using dry-set masonry with no mortar between rocks.
Royal Fish Ponds – Fish ponds in which tilapia make circular nests in the sandy bottom.
Kōnane Papamū – A stone playing surface for playing Hawaiian checkers (kōnane).
Keoneʻele Cove – A protected cove used as a canoe landing.
Canoe Hālau – A wooden A-frame structure used to store canoes and provide shade for craft work.
Kānoa – Bowls carved into rock that may have been used for dyeing, tanning fishing nets, or pounding root to make a ceremonial drink.

Pu’uhonua

Hale o Keawe – A temple (heiau) and royal mausoleum with a variety of artefacts.
Kiʻi – Wooden images, usually statues, that symbolise Hawaiian Gods.
ʻĀleʻaleʻa – Possibly the principal heiau before Hale o Keawe was built.
Keōua Stone – The favourite resting place of a high chief Keōua, according to local tradition.
Tide Pools – Pools of water in the lava rock.
Ancient Heiau Site – The only remnants of an ancient heiau, which is among the oldest structures in the park.

1871 Trail

The 1871 trail offers visitors the chance to follow an original Hawaiian trail that leads to the site of an abandoned fishing village, known as Ki’ilae Village. It begins behind the Visitor’s Center and passes remnants of old Hawaiian settlements, including Alahaka Heiau. The hike to Ki’ilae Village is a 2.5 mile (4km) round trip trail, but you can follow a second coastal trail which intersects the 1871 trail on the way back. This path passes the site of what was once the Keawe House and ‘O’ma’ Heiau.

How much does it cost to visit Pu’uhonua O Hōnaunau?

The park is open 8.15-Sunset, daily and costs $20 per car, $15 per motorcycle or $10 per person on foot or with a bike, but there are a few public holidays per year when entry is free!

The free entrance dates for 2024 are:

January 15: Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
April 20: First day of National Park Week
June 19: Juneteenth National Independence Day
August 4: Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
September 28: National Public Lands Day
November 11: Veterans Day

Did you know: Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau is one of the only places in Hawai’i where the flag of Hawai’i can officially fly alone without the American flag – the other three places are ʻIolani Palace, the Mauna ʻAla and Thomas Square.

A group of bright green palm trees and various shapes and sizes.

What is there to do nearby: Snorkel at Hōnaunau Bay

Right next door to Pu’uhonua O Hōnaunau National Historical Park lies the beautiful Hōnaunau Bay. Colloquially known as Two Step, Hōnaunau bay is frequented by an array of marine life, features crystal clear waters and a pristine reef. It is also a popular spot for sleepy sea turtles and spinner dolphins sometimes rest in the deeper part of the bay. This all makes it one of the best places for snorkelling in Hawai’i. You can find out more in our article about Snorkelling on Hawaii’s Big Island. If you’re not a confident snorkeller, consider taking this Pu’uhonua O Honaunau & Kealakekua Bay Snorkel Tour – the perfect combination of history, culture and adventure. And if you’re in need of beautiful budget-friendly accommodation, we’d recommend checking out Kona Tiki or Big Island Retreat.

Book your Pu’uhonua O Honaunau & Kealakekua Bay Snorkel Tour here!