Trip Planner:   USA  /  Hawaii  /  Island of Hawaii  /  Honaunau  /  Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park

Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park, Honaunau

4.7
#1 of 18 in Historic Sites in Island of Hawaii
National Park Historic Site
At one time, people could escape certain death after breaking the sacred laws by going to Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park. Today you can take a self-guided tour through the centuries-old history and culture of this sacred site. Discover Kapu, the ancient codes of conduct, and learn about weaving, fishing, and carving. Explore the royal grounds, once the exclusive preserve of the chiefdom of Kona, and view the great wall which encloses the Place of Refuge. Craftspeople demonstrate traditional craft skills such as canoe and wood carving, while skilled storytellers weave ancient tales. Food is not available at the park, so plan accordingly. Plan to see Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park and other attractions that appeal to you using our Honaunau travel route planner .
map
Create an itinerary including Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park
Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park Tours
Kona Tour: Coffee Plantation, Kealakekua Bay, Kaloko-Honokohau Park and Bee Farm BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $124
Viator VIP: The Sunset Experience Helicopter Tour from Kona BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $685
Hawaii Island Experience BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $224
Ultimate Kona from Coffee to Culture Mercedes Tour BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $590
Kona Shore Excursion: Kona Historical Coast and Culture Tour with Coffee Plantation BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $115
Hawaii Big Island Customized Private Tour BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $1,146
View more tours
Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park Reviews
Rate this attraction
TripAdvisor Traveler Rating
1,260 reviews
TripAdvisor
  • October 2, 2017
    In this National Park, the Royal Court systems were once. In earlier days, he was also a refuge for Hawaiian lawbreakers. Called sweaters, even the Holy laws, were of the utmost importance in the Hawaiian culture and a violation of one of these "kapu" (this included among others the common public food for men and women) could mean even the death penalty. To survive the only way was to escape his pursuers and one "puuhonua", achieving that is a sacred haven. Once here, held a ceremony of absolution and the taboo-breaker was able to return to society. The walk through the Park is really interesting. Turtles bask like on the small beach at the Park.
    View original
  • October 1, 2017
    Part of National Parks, so if you have your pass handy, you get in for free. If not, $5 entry is good for reentry for 5 days. One of Hawaii's historic places, you can do a self-guided tour or catch a ...  more »
  • September 30, 2017
    If you are looking for a great way to spend a few hours or several days unwinding, go visit this National Park, walk it's sacred and royal grounds, and get a good feel for life in pre- and early-colon...  more »
View more on TripAdvisor »

Plan your trip to Honaunau

  • Get a personalized plan

    A complete day-by-day itinerary
    based on your preferences

  • Customize it

    Refine your plan. We'll find the
    best routes and schedules

  • Book it

    Choose from the best hotels
    and activities. Up to 50% off

  • Manage it

    Everything in one place.
    Everyone on the same page.

Best things to do in Honaunau

Honaunau Bay
Honaunau
Visit for: 3​h
The Painted Church
Honaunau
Visit for: 1​h 30​min
Manini Kapahukapu Beach
Honaunau
Visit for: 3​h

Side trips from Honaunau

©
Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area
Puako
Visit for: 4​h
©
South Point (Ka Lae) and Green Sand Beach
Naalehu
Visit for: 2​h 30​min
Kilauea Iki Trailhead
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Visit for: 1​h 30​min
©
Swim with Dolphins
Waikoloa
Visit for: 4​h
©
Thurston Lava Tube (Nahuku)
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Visit for: 2​h 30​min
©
Kīlauea
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Visit for: 3​h 30​min
Don't Miss a Thing. See & Do More.

Where to stay in Honaunau

©
Browse hotels, guesthouses, and unique homes and book your stay on the world's leading accommodation sites.
Live like a local, find unique places to stay
Millions of travel reviews on TripAdvisor

Plans in Honaunau by other users

8 days in Hawaii BY A USER FROM SOUTH AFRICA May, culture, historic sites, museums, fast-paced, hidden gems PREFERENCES: May, culture, historic sites, museums ATTRACTION STYLE: Hidden gems PACE: Fast-paced 14 days in Island of Hawaii BY A USER FROM CANADA September, kids, culture, outdoors, beaches, historic sites, shopping, wildlife, slow & easy, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: September, kids, culture, outdoors, beaches, historic sites, shopping, wildlife ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Slow & easy 17 days in Hawaii BY A USER FROM CANADA August, kids, culture, outdoors, historic sites, museums, wildlife, slow & easy, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: August, kids, culture, outdoors, historic sites, museums, wildlife ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Slow & easy 8 days in Honolulu & Island of Hawaii BY A USER FROM CANADA December, culture, outdoors, beaches, historic sites, museums, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: December, culture, outdoors, beaches, historic sites, museums ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Medium 10 days in Island of Hawaii BY A USER FROM MALAYSIA December, culture, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, beaches, historic sites, shopping, popular PREFERENCES: December, culture, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, beaches, historic sites, shopping ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 33 days in Island of Hawaii BY A USER FROM ISRAEL September, popular PREFERENCES: September ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 19 days in United States BY A USER FROM INDIA September, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, beaches, historic sites, museums, popular PREFERENCES: September, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, beaches, historic sites, museums ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 19 days in United States BY A USER FROM INDIA September, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, beaches, historic sites, museums, popular PREFERENCES: September, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, beaches, historic sites, museums ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 8 days in Island of Hawaii BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES October, culture, outdoors, relaxing, historic sites, shopping, popular PREFERENCES: October, culture, outdoors, relaxing, historic sites, shopping ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 14 days in Maui & Island of Hawaii BY A USER FROM CANADA August, outdoors, relaxing, beaches, historic sites, popular PREFERENCES: August, outdoors, relaxing, beaches, historic sites ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 13 days in Maui & Island of Hawaii BY A USER FROM CANADA August, outdoors, relaxing, beaches, historic sites, popular PREFERENCES: August, outdoors, relaxing, beaches, historic sites ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 5 days in Island of Hawaii BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES September, kids, culture, relaxing, beaches, historic sites, slow & easy, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: September, kids, culture, relaxing, beaches, historic sites ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Slow & easy
View more plans