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.
Alerts
- ClosurePark 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.
- InformationNPS ↗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.
Fees & passes
| Type | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Private VehicleAdmits 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. | $20 | |
| MotorcycleValid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers. | $15 | |
| Per PersonAdmits 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. | $10 | |
| Education/Academic GroupsAcademic 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. | Free | |
| Non-commercial GroupsNon-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. | $10 | |
| Commercial tours · by vehicle capacity | ||
| Per PersonAll 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. | $10 | |
| Passes | ||
| Annual Entrance - ParkAllows 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). | $35 | |
| Annual Entrance - ParkHawai'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. | $55 | |
Entrance fees are collected at our park throughout the year. Pu'uhonua o Hōnaunau charges a variety of fees, depending on how a visitor arrives at the park, and whether they're part of a commercial tour group or not. Fees assist the park in providing educational and cultural programs which help to perpetuate and preserve Native Hawaiian culture. Fees also help maintain facilities and the upkeep of our grounds.
Hours
| Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau NHP Operating Hours | Daily · 8:15AM - Sunset |
When to go
December draws the most visits here and May the fewest, averaged over 2021 to 2025.
Visitor centers
- Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park Visitor Center ↗Passport stamp
The Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau Historical Park Visitor Center is open year-round. Please note: the Park Store is cashless and accepts card or digital payments only.
Explore
Things to do
- Birdwatching at Kaloko-Honokōhau
Grab your binoculars and set out on a birdwatching adventure along the Kona coastline. See the vibrant yellow saffron finch, hear the boisterous calls of the common Myna, and watch as the ʻAukuʻu (black crowned night heron) slightly stalks its prey.
Opens on the Park Service site - Hike the 1871 Trail1-2 Hours
The rugged lava shoreline of the South Kona coast beckons you to explore the backcountry trails of the park. Have you ever imagined visiting a historic abandoned Hawaiian village? Come and experience this special and unique area. Step back in time.
Opens on the Park Service site - Explore the Shoreline
Hidden in cracks, pools, and depressions within the lava rock shoreline are miniature underwater worlds for you to explore. See bright yellow lauʻipala (yellow tang) darting through pools, hāʻukeʻuke (shingle urchins) holding fast to the rocks…
Opens on the Park Service site - Play Kōnane10-30 Minutes
Peahea ka hoʻonanenane? Want to test your wits? Play a game of kōnane on the shores of Hōnaunau Bay with your ʻohana (family). This game can be learned in minutes, but may take a lifetime to master.
Opens on the Park Service site - Snorkeling Nearby
The clear blue waters of Hōnaunau Bay hold spectacular wonders of the underwater world. Spinner dolphins with their amazing acrobatics frequent the bay, eels and octopus lurk in the cracks and crevices of the reef, and a colorful variety of fish…
Opens on the Park Service site - Self-Guided Walking Tour30-60 Minutes
Journey back to ancient Hawaiʻi and walk in the footsteps the ancestors. Explore the Royal Grounds, which were once reserved for the chiefdom of Kona. See the intricate masonry of the Great Wall.
Opens on the Park Service site
Show all 9Hide
- Relax in the Picnic Area!
Relax in the shade of coconut trees as you enjoy the picturesque setting of the Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau picnic area. Bring your whole ʻohana (family) for a beach picnic and make memories as you explore in the shallow tide pools in the lava rock.
Opens on the Park Service site - Experience Culture
Experience a taste of life in ancient Hawaiʻi as National Park Service staff and cultural practitioners demonstrate traditional Hawaiian craft techniques and practices such as weaving, carving, lei making, games, and more! Become inspired by the…
Opens on the Park Service site - Birdwatching at Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau
Grab your binoculars and set out on a birdwatching adventure along the South Kona coastline. See the vibrant yellow saffron finch, hear the boisterous calls of the common Myna, and watch as the ʻAukuʻu (black crowned night heron) slightly stalks its…
Opens on the Park Service site
Films
National Park Service productions, public domain.
Events
- 'Ohe Kāpala with Chantel Chung10/1409:00 AM · runs through Oct 28 · freeLocated in the Hālau (Stop 16)
- Ulana 'ie with Melba Medeiros10/1409:00 AM · runs through Oct 28 · freeSmaller Halau by stop #16
- Ulana Lau Niu with Aunty Keikiali'i SanFelippo10/1609:00 AM · runs through Oct 30 · freeHālau labeled as #16 in our grounds.
- Ulana 'Ie'ie with Uncle Pomai10/1909:00 AM · runs through Dec 24 · freeUncle Pomai will be in the Hale wa'a (canoe house) next to station 16.
- Hana Lei with Aunty Melanie Moses10/2009:00 AM · runs through Dec 3 · freeThis lei making demonstration will be located in the halau by stop 16.
- Lomilomi - Hawaiian Massage & Healing with Momi Nobriga Alber in the Hale, 9-2pm.10/2709:00 AM · freeLocated in the hale within the "Royal Grounds" in between stations 1 and 2.
News
- Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park to hold 65th Annual Cultural Festival and Fee Free Day ↗2026-06-18
On Saturday, June 27, Pu‘uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park will host its annual Hawaiian Cultural Festival and celebrate the park’s 65th anniversary as a unit of the National Park Service.
Map
Interactive map by the National Park Service
On the National Register nearby
- St. Benedict's Catholic ChurchBuilding · Honaunau · 1.8 mi
- Kahikolu ChurchBuilding · Napoopoo · 3.3 mi
- Daifukuji Soto Zen MissionBuilding · Honalo · 4.9 mi
- Uchida Coffee FarmBuilding · Kealakekua · 5.6 mi
Public land nearby
Distances are approximate. Wilderness Atlas publishes a center point and an acreage for each area rather than a boundary, so each area is treated here as a circle of the same size and the figure is the gap to that circle.
Hawaii guidebooks
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject.
Reference
Wildlife
Seen this monthShort-finned Pilot Whale 6× · Pantropical Spotted Dolphin 1×Research-grade observations within 25 km, last 30 days, via iNaturalist
Full checklist: 32 birds, 11 mammalsHide
Raptors & owlsBarn Owl
Shorebirds & seabirdsPacific Golden Plover · Spotted Sandpiper
Gamebirds & dovesKalij Pheasant · Ring-necked Pheasant · Rock Dove · Spotted Dove · Zebra Dove
Also on the checklistAeʻo · African Silverbill · Burrowing Parrot · Common Myna · Erckel's Spurfowl · Grey Francolin · House Finch · House Sparrow · Kioea · Lavender Waxbill · Northern Cardinal · Nutmeg Mannikin · Pueo · Saffron Finch · Warbling White-eye · Yellow-billed Cardinal · Yellow-fronted Canary · ʻA · ʻAkekeke · ʻApapane · ʻAukuʻu · ʻIo · ʻIwa · ʻŪlili
Small mammalsNorway rat · Polynesian rat · black rat · house mouse
Marine mammalsHawaiian monk seal
BatsHawaiian hoary bat
Also on the checklistDomestic Cat · domestic dog · feral goat · feral pig · small Indian mongoose
Activities
Activity guides for this park Birdwatching in the national parks · Diving and snorkeling in the national parks · Fishing in the national parks · Hiking in the national parks · Wildlife watching in the national parks
All 14 activitiesHide
Weather & climate
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 storm conditions. Please check with the visitor center or your hotel for any weather advisories or hazardous conditions on the day of your visit.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau?
Entrance is $20 per private vehicle, $15 per motorcycle, and $10 per person on foot or bike. Admits one single, private, non-commercial vehicle and all of its passengers (up to 8 persons).
Source: National Park Service
Which passes work at Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau?
The $80 America the Beautiful pass covers the entrance fee here, and a Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau-only annual pass is $35.
Source: Is the pass worth it
Can I pay the entrance fee in cash?
No. Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau takes cards only at the entrance.
Source: National Park Service
When is entrance to Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau free?
Next on October 27, Theodore Roosevelt's birthday. 2 fee-free days are left this year, for US residents only.
Source: Free entrance days
Do I need a reservation to enter Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau?
No. There is no timed-entry or entrance reservation at Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau. Camping and some tours have their own reservations.
Source: National Park Service
What are the hours at Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau?
Standard hours are 8:15AM - Sunset, every day.
Source: National Park Service
Is anything closed at Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau right now?
2 active alerts as of October 14, 2026: Park Reopened; Puʻuhonua Area and Section of Trail Remain Closed; Annual and lifetime passes not available for purchase.
Source: Alerts
How busy is Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau?
371,957 recreation visits in 2025, number 132 of 387 units that report visitation.
Source: Most visited parks
Is there cell service at Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau?
At the park's reference point, FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE, AT&T 5G, and T-Mobile 5G. Coverage inside the park varies by location.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is the weather like at Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau?
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.
Source: Weather & climate
Follow this park
- Alerts feed (RSS)
- Every active Park Service alert for this unit, one item each, rebuilt with the nightly data refresh.
- Add dates to your calendar (.ics file)
- Fee-free entrance days that apply here and each published hours exception, as all-day events.
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