Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park

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.

Kōnane in the Royal Grounds

Explore the picturesque Royal Grounds and catch a game of Kōnane on the shores of Hōnaunau Bay.

A stone papamū (Kōnane playing surface) with Hale o Keawe and Hōnaunau Bay in the background.

Hale o Keawe & Keoneʻele Cove

Hale o Keawe (the royal mausoleum) brings visitors and current cultural practitioners to Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau.

A double-hulled canoe sits in Keoneʻele Cove with Hale o Keawe in the background.

The Great Wall and Puʻuhonua

The Great Wall separates the Royal Grounds from the Puʻuhonua and demonstrates the impressive Hawaiian dry stacked masonry technique.

Close up image looking along the stones of the Great Wall in the Puʻuhonua with coconut trees

Hula Demonstration in the Royal Grounds

Hula dancers perform at the annual Cultural Festival.

Hula dancers raise their arms to the sky in the sandy Royal Grounds.

Canoe Hale in the Royal Grounds

Visitors from around the world visit Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau NHP every year to learn more about Hawaiian history and culture

An a-frame canoe hale (house) in the Royal Grounds

Sunset in the Tide Pools

The Picnic Area is a fantastic place to catch a beautiful Hawaiian sunset.

A glowing sunset reflects in the calm waters of a tide pool.