Tags
Big Island, Hawaii, Hawaiians, History, Kapu, National Historical Park, Photography, Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau, travel
Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park is located on the west coast of the Big Island of Hawai’i.
The historical park preserves the site where, up until the early 19th century, Hawaiians who broke a kapu (one of the ancient laws) could avoid certain death by fleeing to this place of refuge or puʻuhonua.
This is a marvelous, respectful view of Hawaii’s past and how its culture worked. Now that it is a national site, the displays & information available have been expanded in greater detail.
This “Place of Refuge” is located about a 45 minute drive from down town Kailua Kona on Hwy 160. On our way from the Volcano National Park to Kailua Kona we stopped here at the park. It is a free attraction, however you will be charged $5 to park if you use their paved parking lot.
We loved this little slice of history. The beach is breathtaking – we spent about an hour exploring the lava rock tide pools and saw lots of fish. The self-guided walk around the park didn’t take much time – maybe an hour. We spent about 1.5 or so hours wandering around the grounds, learning about the historical information around the site. It was very scenic as well, the tall palm trees, the sand, the black lava rock, the ocean, all blending into some picturesque views. The setting, at the edge of the ocean, is just gorgeous. Since it is a religious site, you can’t swim or snorkel at the park, but there is a swim and snorkel spot right next to it and you can see colourful fish in the tide pools.
The park has many beautiful palm trees, white sand all around and there are various beautiful ancient houses to visit where you can see the tools and canoes that ancient Hawaiians used when they lived here. You can also see several beautifully crafted “totems” around the park.
The exhibits and artifacts area of the park is small and easy to walk around. With numbered markers and some reconstructed structures, you can download an app, or use the brochure you get at the gate, to learn of the various purposes and significance of each. If you happen to be there when a Park ranger is giving a guided tour, then you will most likely get more out of it. There also is a wall of murals, with a recorded audio history that is rather simplistic.
If you want to make more of a day out of it, there is a beach picnic area a hundred yards from the parking lot to the south with tables with charcoal grills and port-a-potties. There is no food or beverages available at the visitor centre, so plan accordingly. The visitor centre is open 8:30am – 4:30pm. It has restrooms, a water bottle filling station, a very small gift shop, and amphitheatre.
We are glad we stopped. I would recommend it, especially for anyone wanting to know more about Hawaiian history and culture.
A must see when visiting the Big Island of Hawaii. Yes, I agree with you, that this area is a little slice of history. Thank you for sharing your experience.
Thanks Linda, thank you for sharing the day with me. It was fabulous
Isn’t the water a beautiful blue colour Lyn…looks so inviting but as you say no swimming allowed and I understand why.
Thanks Sue. The colour of the water in Hawaii is always divine on every island and always gorgeous to swim in.
Yes absolutely magic . Loved it. Daphne
Thanks Daphne. It always is magic
Lyn All your pics of Hawaii have an unmistakeable feel about them. You could not mistake them for anywhere but Hawaii. I think its the palm trees. Lovely to visit via your blog. xx gg
Thanks Gail. I thought the same when I wrote this post. You could not mistake it for anywhere but Hawaii hey
It looks Divine!
Yes thanks Mary, it really is divine. Actually, in my eyes, Hawaii is divine. Maybe that is why I stayed there for 11 years.
Such nice pics.
Thanks Gloria
Wow that looks amazing. Beautiful photos!
It truly is amazing. It is easy to take beautiful photos of such a gorgeous place. Thanks Lyn
Just one word: gorgeous!
Thanks Orna and that is a great word cause it is gorgeous.
Thank you for the interesting blog Lyn . Once again beautiful photos. 💜
Thanks Leah. It surely is a beautiful place 💜💜
This looks like a perfect day trip. If I pay $5 to park, best believe I’d be there from 9-5, especially with a beach.
Yes, you could definitely spend a day there. We were on our way to Kailua Kona so it was just a short visit. So many places to see, and sometimes so little time. Thanks for visiting my blog. Lyn
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My husband & I are going there in two years for our 30th anniversary. I have been before but he hasn’t. We can’t wait! Thank you for the inspiring post!
That is a beautiful place for a 30th anniversary. I am sure you will love it Lyn
It is so beautiful these pictures made my day. I hope one day I have the chance to visit this gorgeous heaven on Earth:-) It’s on my wish list. Best, Sylvia
Thanks Sylvia. All my life Hawaii has been beautiful in my mind so I am so so blessed to have visited many times and lived there. A very special place.
This is interesting – a place where a person can start again, if they had to.
Yes, that is exactly what it is and what a beautiful place for it to be. Thanks for your comment Lyn
These pictures are gorgeous, the color is spectacular!
Thanks Lisa. It is truly a gorgeous spot. Lyn
Beautiful pictures with nice description. I hope to visit there once in my lifetime.
Happy blogging! 😊 ♡
Thanks so much. It is a beautiful place with a magical feeling. Happy blogging to you also. I really enjoy it
Your beautiful pictures and fine description of the place made me to add this place in my wishlist.
So Thank you . 😊
Good night