Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park

National Historical Park · HI · nps.gov page

Carved wooden kiʻi
Traditional Hawaiian kiʻi stand watch over Hale o Keawe, within the Royal Grounds of Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau.Photo: NPS Photo

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.

Larger map

News

Photos

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.Photo: NPS Photo
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.Photo: NPS Photo
Traditional Hawaiian garden
If you look closely, you'll find traditional Hawaiian flora throughout the park, including a garden with kalo.Photo: NPS Photo
Man demonstrating Hawaiian craft
Throughout the week, cultural demonstrators at the park show visitors some traditional Hawaiian arts and crafts.Photo: NPS Photo
Group of hula dancers perform in front of a crowd.
At the annual Cultural Festival, many forms of Hawaiian arts (including hula) are presented to community members and visitors.Photo: NPS Photo
Close-up of Hawaiian kiʻi
Hawaiian kiʻi stand watch over the Puʻuhonua.Photo: NPS Photo

Park information and photos come from the National Park Service. This is not an official NPS site.