Laws & Policies

Enabling Legislation

On July 26, 1955, enabling legislation (PL 84-177, 69 Stat. 376) authorized the future establishment of the City of Refuge National Historical Park, once the title to necessary and suitable lands had been vested in the United States. Legislation states "said lands shall be set apart as the City of Refuge National Historical Park, in the Territory of Hawaii, for the benefit and inspiration of the people."

Six years later, a Secretarial Order announced that title to necessary and suitable lands had been vested in the United States and therefore the City of Refuge National Historical Park was established, effective July 1, 1961.

The name of the park underwent two further amendments. The first, on November 10, 1978, when the park was re-designated as Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park (PL 95-625, 92 Stat. 3477). The second amended the park's designation to reflect the Native Hawaiian spelling of Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park (PL 106-510, Nov. 13, 2000).

Park Regulations

Superintendent's Compendium & Closure Orders

The Superintendent's Compendium is a compilation of designations, closures, permit requirements, and other restrictions made by the superintendent, in addition to what is contained in Title 36 of the Code of Federal Regulations and other applicable state and federal statutes and regulations.

Closures that are not listed under the Superintendent's Compendium are listed here:
Closure Order #21-001 due to COVID-19 (252 KB)
Closure Order #20-003 due to COVID-19 (371 KB)

Firearms

As of February 22, 2010, federal law allows people who can legally possess firearms under applicable federal, state, and local laws, to legally possess firearms in this park.

It is the responsibility of visitors to understand and comply with all applicable state, local, and federal firearms laws before entering this park. As a starting point, visit the Hawaii Revised Statutes Title 10 Chapter 134 - Firearms, Ammunition and Dangerous Weapons

Federal law also prohibits firearms in certain facilities in this park; those places are marked with signs at all public entrances.

Area Maps & Restricted Activities

Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park preserves and protects important cultural and historic sites. The park strives to maintain the cultural landscape to allow visitors to experience a sense of pre-contact Hawaiʻi. The area maps show the boundaries of various areas throughout the park and describe the activity restrictions in each area. For more detailed information about park rules and regulations, please visit read through the Superintendent's Compendium.