About 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.
Plan a Visit
Core visitor information on this page is sourced from the National Park Service. NPD proximity sections use NPS reference coordinates and straight-line distance. Local source bundle updated Sep 27, 2026. View the official NPS page.
Weather & Conditions
The weather in the park is typically hot and sunny with daytime temperatures in the upper 80's. An excellent time to experience the park is in the morning and in the late afternoon when the temperatures are a bit cooler. The park occasionally closes because of high winds or dangerous…
NPS Reference Location
Park state / territory membership: Hawaii. This map uses the National Park Service reference coordinate. It may represent an administrative or reference point rather than a park entrance, trailhead, visitor center, or the nearest access point. Use the official NPS directions below when planning travel.
Entrance Fees
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.
Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.
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.
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 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.
All commercial tours that enter the park on a regular basis must have a Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) and are required to pay the commercial tour fee at the entrance station at each visit. For more information on how to get a CUA visit the Permits & Reservations page.
Operating Hours
Sunset times vary throughout the year. For exact closing times, please see our Facebook page or call the visitor center.
Activities
Current Alerts
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.
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.
Getting There
From Kailua-Kona: Take Highway 11 south, approximately 20 miles. Between mileposts 103 and 104, at the Hōnaunau Post Office, turn right towards the ocean onto Hwy 160. Travel 3.5 miles and turn left at the Pu'uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park sign. Travel times will vary due to traffic conditions in North Kona.
View Official DirectionsContact & Address
The NPS-listed address may be an administrative office, visitor center, mailing/contact location, or other park facility rather than a park entrance.
Entrance Passes
Allows access for 12 months from date of purchase at Pu‘uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park. The pass admits the pass owner and/or spouse along with accompanying persons in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle. When entry is by other means (bicycle, foot, Hele-On bus, etc.) the pass covers the purchaser and accompanying immediate family (spouse, children, and parents). Pass is not refundable or transferable.
Hawai'i Tri-Park Annual Pass The annual pass is valid for entrance fees for pass holder and occupants of a single, private, non-commercial vehicle at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, Haleakalā National Park, and Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park. The park is not responsible for misplaced, lost, or stolen cards. This pass does not cover camping fees and is non-transferable and non-refundable. Hawaiʻi Tri-Park Annual Pass can be purchased at the entrance station.
Topics & Themes
Things To Do
Birdwatching at Kaloko-Honokōhau
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