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Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau Virtual Tour

Structures at Pu'uhonua o Hōnaunau
Photographing structures at Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau

NPS / HDP

The Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau is located in Honaunau, Hawaii. It is an important Hawaiian ceremonial site bounded on its southern and eastern sides by a massive L-shaped wall, known as the Great Wall, and on its northern and western sides by the ocean. Within the Puʻuhonua there are several other important ceremonial structures including the Hale o Keawe, ʻĀleʻaleʻa Heiau, and the Ancient Heiau.

In ancient Hawaiʻi a system of laws known as kānāwai enforced the social order. Certain people, places, things, and times were sacred – they were kapu, or forbidden. Kapu regulated fishing, planting, and the harvesting of other resources. Any breaking of kapu disturbed the stability of society, and the punishment was often death. Any fugitive who had broken kapu (sacred law) could seek refuge and forgiveness within the walls of the Puʻuhonua. In addition, in the event that war was declared, families of combatants could seek refuge and safety within the Puʻuhonua and be assured to return home unmolested on cessation of battle regardless of the outcome. Although many puʻuhonua existed in ancient Hawai'i, Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau is the best preserved and most dramatic.

The concept of refuge in Hawaiʻi is an ancient one, with roots found in the larger Polynesian culture. Traditional accounts indicate that a ruling chief of a kingdom could declare certain lands or heiau (sacred structures) as puʻuhonua, and as long as they retained undisputed power these designations would remain in force. Unfortunately no absolute chronology exists for dating the original establishment of Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau. However, rough estimates can be made based on genealogies and traditional accounts. Some have indicated that the Puʻuhonua may have originally been established by ʻEhu kai malino, ruling chief of Kona, around 450 years ago.

Project Information

Heritage Documentation Programs (HDP) undertook Historic American Landscapes Survey (HALS) documentation of Pu'uhonua o Hōnaunau in 2011-15. HDP’s joint work with the staff of Puʻuhonua O Hōnaunau National Historical Park (PUHO) assisted the Park with interpretation and preservation planning efforts. The field documentation teams consisted of HDP architects Todd Croteau (HAER), Paul Davidson (HABS), Dana Lockett (HAER), and Ryan Pierce (HALS), along with PUHO staff members Adam Johnson (integrated resources manager), Shane Runmsey (archeologist), and MaryAnne Maigret (archaeologist).

Visiting the Park in Person

For those planning to visit the park in person, please remember to be respectful of the site and not engage in off-trail exploration or other prohibited activities that may disturb or damage the cultural resources.

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Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park

Last updated: October 31, 2023