Sight guide · Big Island (Hawaiʻi) · United States
Visiting Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park
A place of refuge where people who broke kapu (sacred law) could be spared if they reached its walls.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Carol M. Highsmith, Public domain
Quick answer
Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park is a historic site in South Kona, Big Island (Hawaiʻi). Allow 1.5 hours; it is low cost. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Historic site
- Area
- South Kona
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- history, kids and photo spot
- Best months
- May, September and November
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About Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park
A place of refuge where people who broke kapu (sacred law) could be spared if they reached its walls. The park has a reconstructed temple guarded by carved kiʻi images, a massive stone wall and royal grounds, and green sea turtles often rest on the lava shoreline.
Tip: Snorkel at Two Step, the lava-ledge entry just north of the park, before or after your visit.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 1.5 hours.
- Cost: Low cost.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: South Kona.
Best time to visit Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park
To avoid the biggest crowds, aim for the quietest of the good months:
- May: 29°C (84°F) highs, about 9 rainy days, quiet crowds.
- September: 30°C (86°F) highs, about 9 rainy days, quiet crowds.
- November: 29°C (84°F) highs, about 8 rainy days, moderate crowds.
When to visit Big Island (Hawaiʻi) has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park is not on our short itineraries, so plan it as an extra once you have seen Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and Maunakea.
- No. 7 of the 19 sights in our Big Island (Hawaiʻi) things-to-do list.
- Day 5 of the 5-day plan.
- One of the picks in historic sites in Big Island (Hawaiʻi).
- A family favourite in Big Island (Hawaiʻi) with kids.
Near Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park
Also in South Kona, so you can walk between them:
- Kealakekua Bay — half a day, mid-priced
If you like Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park
- Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park — Volcano, A full day
- ʻAkaka Falls State Park — Hāmākua Coast, 1 hour
- Chain of Craters Road — Volcano, 2–3 hours
- Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach — Kaʻū, 1 hour
Staying near Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park
Where to stay in Big Island (Hawaiʻi) compares every area by price and who it suits.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park?
Plan 1.5 hours. With Kealakekua Bay nearby, it fits a half-day in South Kona.
+Is Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park free?
No, it is low cost. Tickets are usually available on the day.
+When is the best time to visit Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park?
May, September and November, the quietest of the good months. Snorkel at Two Step, the lava-ledge entry just north of the park, before or after your visit.
+Do I need to book Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.
+Is Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park good for kids?
Yes, it is one of our family picks in Big Island (Hawaiʻi). The Big Island is a superb family destination for active children, with volcanoes, turtles, waterfalls and calm beaches.