Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park
National Historical Park · HI
Park Closure · Park Reopened; Puʻuhonua Area and Section of Trail Remain Closed
Puʻuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park has reopened. However, please note that the Puʻuhonua area of the park remains closed until further notice. Additionally, the 1871 Trail beyond Alahaka Ramp is also closed.
1 noticefrom the National Park Service
Information · Annual and lifetime passes not available for purchase
Annual and lifetime passes are not currently available for purchase at Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park. As an alternative, you can purchase an annual pass online.
More information
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.
- NPS site
- nps.gov/puho
- Location
- Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park (19.413, -155.901)
Track your visit to Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park
NP Tracker keeps a record of every National Park Service unit you visit — all 430-plus of them. Log visits with dates and photos, collect passport stamps, plan trips, and watch your map fill in. It's free.
Passport stamp locations
- Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park Visitor Center
Hours
Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau NHP Operating Hourstoday: 8:15AM - Sunset
- Sat Oct 38:15AM - Sunset
- Sun Oct 48:15AM - Sunset
- Mon Oct 58:15AM - Sunset
- Tue Oct 68:15AM - Sunset
- Wed Oct 78:15AM - Sunset
- Thu Oct 88:15AM - Sunset
- Fri Oct 98:15AM - Sunset
Sunset times vary throughout the year. For exact closing times, please see our Facebook page or call the visitor center.
Hours are retrieved from the National Park Service and can change without notice — check the official site before you go.
Visitor centers
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- Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park Visitor Centertoday: 8:30AM - 4:30PMDirections
Self-guided tours
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1871 Trail Tour to Kiʻilae1–2 hours · 18 stops
See the convergence of ancient and historical times as you step back in time with us, walk in the footsteps of the ancestors, and explore the rugged lava shoreline of the South Kona Coast on the 1871 Trail. This is an out-and-back trail with a roundtrip total of two miles. The trail traverses over rugged lava with few opportunities for shade. Sturdy shoes, sun protection, and water are recommended. Please stay on the trail at all times and do not disturb any archeological sites.
Meet the Kiʻi10–20 minutes · 7 stops
The kiʻi at Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park attract visitors from all over the world. Take a journey around the Royal Grounds and meet the kiʻi of Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau. Learn about what kiʻi are, the history of kiʻi at Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau, and the forms of the akua (gods) that they represent.
Royal Grounds & Puʻuhonua40–50 minutes · 17 stops
Take a step back in time to ancient Hawaiʻi and walk in the footsteps of the ancestors. Explore the Royal Grounds which were once reserved for the chiefdom of Kona and pass beyond the Great Wall into the Puʻuhonua, where people found refuge during war or after breaking a kapu (religious law). This self-guided walking tour is about half of a mile long. The terrain is a mixture of crushed coral sand and lava rock.
Visitor Center Mural
Entrance fees
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- Private Vehicle — $20.00
Admits one single, private, non-commercial vehicle and all of its passengers (up to 8 persons). Organized non-profit groups (service organizations, scouts, church groups, college/school clubs) are not eligible for the vehicle permit. Good for entry into Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park for seven days from the date of purchase.
- Motorcycle — $15.00
Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.
- Per Person — $10.00
Admits one individual when entering by foot or bicycle. Good for entry into Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park for seven days from the date of purchase. Individuals 15 years old and younger are admitted free of charge.
- Education/Academic Groups — Free
Academic institutions may be eligible for a fee waiver by simply filling out sections 1, 2, and 5 of our educational fee waiver application. If an educational fee waiver is not obtained, the standard entrance fees apply.
- Non-commercial Groups — $10.00
Non-commercial groups entering the park in a bus or vehicle with a capacity of 16 persons or more will be charged $10.00 for each person on board.