Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park

Great history. If people were banned from their clan they had the chance to swim to the Place of Refuge to be forgiven from the priest and were safe there. Many people didnt make the swim. I went on a Sunday so it was free to just walk in and explore. TIP- be quiet when you enter this place as it was a sacred ground.

In February 2023, I visited Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park with my mom and dad, and it was one of the most peaceful and meaningful places we saw on the Big Island. Walking through the grounds, we admired the lava rock walls, reconstructed temples, and wooden kiʻi statues, while learning about the history of the “Place of Refuge.” The oceanfront setting was stunning, and the atmosphere felt both sacred and serene. It was a very educational and spiritual experience, and we left with a deeper appreciation for Hawaiian culture and history. 🌺🌊

This place was not on any of the guidebooks or suggestion when coming to Kona. If you like learning about history or cultural information this spot is for you. Going in the morning is best if you don’t like to get too hot as there is minimal shade. There are a few benches throughout for sitting down but mostly you walk through to learn about the site. I watched the video the day before from the website which talked about the significance of the place of refugee and I think that helped me to understand where I was going and why it was so special. I am really glad we came here. They have some cultural classes during the week that looked interesting and we spoke with one of the staff who carved all the poles in the park that rope off the areas, it was nice hearing how important this place was to him.

A very nice place to visit, and learn a little bit about Hawaian culture and past. Its a sacred sanctuary where people seek protection and forgiveness. There are some art demonstrations that my son really enjoyed. The warrior hats and the bamboo stamps. The ladies there were very patient explaining all things to my 5 yo son who was asking all the questions. Its a very pretty park that you can walk around.

A lovely park loaded with cultural history and well-tended facilities. We stop here every time we're on Hawai'i because it changes based on weather, time of day, and season. Well worth a visit if Hawaii culture and traditions are of interest. One challenge was paying the entry fee online when the cell service there can be spotty. Good bathrooms, helpful rangers, beautiful scenery, informative displays. A+

Loved visiting this place and learning about the Hawaiian culture and past ways of life. This place just exudes peace and tranquility the moment you walk in. The information guide is extremely helpful as to walk through the groups and read about the sacred sites. Its a quick visit, but we'll worth it.

We went here on July 28th 2025. It was like waking back in time. Tickets are purchased online, adults differ in price as well as children and age of child. You can use the QR code and listen as you go around each station. There's a gift store, bathrooms, cultural demonstrations. Very beautiful and a must see. Take your time to absorb scenery and feeling 🌜🙌🌛

Puʻuhonua O Hōnaunau was one of the most beautiful and meaningful places I visited on the Big Island. The second I stepped onto the grounds, I felt a sense of peace wash over me. Knowing the history of this being a place of refuge and forgiveness made it even more powerful. You can really feel the energy here. The lava rocks, the palm trees by the ocean, the carvings, and the temple are all so stunning, but it’s more than just the sights. There’s this calm, grounding feeling that makes you slow down and just take it all in. I left feeling really grateful and connected. It’s not just a stop, it’s an experience. If you’re on the Big Island, I can’t recommend it enough. It’s the kind of place that stays with you.

If you can get down to the captain cook area while on the big island you'll love coming here! It's also right next to two step beach (you cannot park and go to the beach here) but it's totally worth stopping by! There was ample parking. This spot had clean restrooms! It was really easy to get to via Google maps and we really enjoyed our time here. I'd suggest you pop by and get your national parks passport stamped!

If you enjoy history this a is a great day. If you enjoy Hawaiian history and culture it doesn't get any more authentic than Pu'uhonua. This is a sacred site that served as a sanctuary in old Hawaii for those that were seeking sanctuary or a wanted a new lease on life. Pu'uhonua also served as a meeting place for chiefs on neutral ground as well as a reserve for rest and renewal. Just a short 45 min drive south of Kona if you visited the Volcano or have yet to you can pay for the park pass and get entry to all of the National Parks including this one. I highly recommend downloading the NPS app (National Park Service) and finding the walking or AUDIO tour. Start at the theater to watch 28 min video that sets up what you will see that day. Then make sure you take in this living museum. Take plenty of picture, walk the place where chiefs walked, and play a game of Hawaiian checkers. In selected days in the afternoons there are cultural reenactment and displays though I didn't see these. This was a highlight for me on our trip and made for a great day when also stopping at the Royal Farms Coffee Mill. Grab some poke or Donkey Balls on the drive home and you've had an awesome day!

Amazing presentation by a descendant of the ancient linage. Very interesting. A value to the park.

This is a simple but postcard perfect historic site! The beaches are pristine with perfect sand, rock, trees, and historical structures. Because this is a protected site you aren't allowed to swim in the ocean inside the park. Parking and entering the site is paid, but it's golden rule as you primarily pay online. The visitors center is actually outdoors and covered. You don't need to reserve a time slot to visit the park.

This is probably my most favorite spot on the island! The fact that it is a place that signals hope and forgiveness for people who made it to the sanctuary really resonates with me. The grounds are immaculate and really cared for. The reef is beautiful and always active with wildlife. Nextdoor is a great snorkeling spot also. Get there early parking goes fast they usually are at capacity by 10 am. There isn't much shade on the grounds so definitely wear a sun hat or bring an umbrella. Grab the map and follow the route that will allow you to cover everything and get great historical information about the place. Don't forget to stop in the gift shop on your way out :)

Pretty small visitor center, completely outdoors. Kids were looking forward to the Jr Ranger program, but they are not providing copies of the workbook and said you had to print it out yourself and then come back. Wish they had mentioned this on the website. The park itself was very cool. Very peaceful and serene with some scenic view of the ocean and awesome displays of the culture and history of Big Island.

The lush grounds and small lagoon are stunning and peaceful. This National Park located on the the island of Hawaii. Hawaiians who broke one of the laws could avoid death by fleeing to this location of refuge. I suggest first view the short film that explains this site to have a better understanding of what you will be viewing. As we walked around the grounds we had a feeling of peace and that this was a very special place. This site can be combined with visits to Captain Cook Monument, coffee tasty and Two Step, which is considered a great snorkeling area.

This is an update to my review from my visit here in 2016. e loved this place so much that we returned on our visit to the Big Island this summer. This is one of the premier historic sites on the island, especially for earlier, traditional Hawaiian culture, and thus it is one of the premier such sites in the entire state. It includes significant remains of a royal compund, plus a large and heavily intact sacred enclosure with was, amongst other things, a place of refuge. There is much information about the area, and stories about specific people, such as the wife of King Kamehameha I, who fled here at one point and hid under a large rock in the sanctuary when he came looking for her. The place is atmospheric and gives a wonderful feel for Hawaiian history and culture.

Great place to visit. Right next to two step beach. Great history and a wealth of information on the Hawaiian culture. A quick walk around the royal grounds sets the mood for an island rich day. Staff is friendly and informative. Stop by all of the historic parks for a deeper historical understanding of the culture.

This place is very scenic, beside ocean, the view is amazing! They also have movie you can watch to understand the culture and history. There is a hiking trail about 2.2 miles, we didn't do the trail. But the view is stunning!

Visiting this National Park was a lovely way to spend an afternoon. I highly recommend the park ranger presentation which provided insight into the history and culture. Unfortunately there were no sea turtles when we visited but we did see lots of Yellow Tangs in the bay and wild goats roaming around. We were so surprised there were so many goats living in the park! It's a beautiful and interesting place of refuge.

very inspiring talk by a true decendent. one of a kind experience to look at the past of these island and its people a must see, but with reverence

Beautiful location, solid presentation, fascinating history. The only thing that detracts, is that I'd appreciate more info about the site than what is presented in the video - that may be due to the time of day that I visited.

Very, very clean to include the restrooms. Peaceful and and quiet, very tranquil. Ranger Presentation was excellent.

What a special place. Going backwards in time. Get the map with numbered stopping point to self tour. Next to Two Star beach. Just a beautiful peaceful place.

I really enjoyed this National Historic Park. As you walk in, there are audio clips related to the exhibits and an amphitheater where you can watch a short film. Then you head out onto the grounds. There is a lot of signage describing what you're looking at and it's next to a popular beach. It's cool to see how the indigenous Hawaiians lived. I'm glad I had my sun hat and shades because it gets hot and there are some lava rocks to traverse if you choose.

We ended up checking this park out. I liked this one because it was near the beach. We got to walk around. I sure got my exercise on going on this trip and good thing I brought my tennis shoes because wearing slippers isn't a good idea. There's so much history here with the volcanos and how the island has transformed into its original beauty. Hubby said it's been over 20 years since he's been here. That tells you how much the big island has changed. I totally enjoyed the views and the land it has turned into. I loved this island because it was more country and it's peaceful rather than living in the city life. I grew up in a city back in California so I know. I got to learn a lot from hubby's stories and just venturing into the land. I enjoyed my time here and hopefully get to come back and enjoy the beautiful island and a lot it has to offer. Highly recommend!

We went here on a tour. I thought it was a beautiful place with a very interesting history. The rangers are very informative and the signs are good. The paths are easy to walk. It is a sacred place, so keep that in mind as you walk around. The paths are sandy and easy to walk in sandals or running shoes. There can be sea turtles here - there are signs, but we did not see any when we visited. The bathrooms are very nice as is the gift store. There is a picnic area and good parking access.

We only caught the end of the presentation, to our great loss. The man speaking spoke with authority, knowledge and conviction that can only come with heritage. This is a must see and must learn situation. He changed the way I looked at this place and the depth of my respect for the people and the land and the culture. This needs to be continued and expanded in my opinion. His intensity drove it home.

My wife and I came for snorkeling at nearby Two Step, not knowing that this National Park lay adjacent to it. In fact, we end up parking here first, and realizing our error, left to do our swimming thing, before returning to check out what this place was all about. What we learned was a fascinating bit of Hawaiian history! I wouldn't even dare try to pronounce the name of this place with my white tongue, so I will simply say that this place was known as a "City of Refuge", where criminals and defeated warriors could flee to avoid certain death at the hands of their pursuers. They would be absolved of their crimes by a priest allowed to return to wherever they came from. This is a place of religious, cultural and historical significance to the Hawaiian people, and one of the only places where the Hawaiian flag can be flown without the American flag alongside it, and a window into what life was like on these islands before us haole came and wrecked everything! There is plenty of parking, and normally there is a day use fee of a few bucks, although there wasn't during our visit, which was convenient! Just FYI, snorkeling is not allowed here: back up the road and turn left on a tiny side road before you leave the park, if you're looking for Two Step.

Pu'uhonua - a place of refuge. According to legend, a certain death can be avoided by fleeing to this place. (Did some piece of reading before writing a review on this one.) This place intrigued me and leave me hooked. So much to explore in here and legend enthusiast will surely appreciate the sacred story on this place. This is a national historic site so an entrance fee is required to help preserve the site. The place is so peaceful and clean. The sealife here is so alive. Colorful fishes happily swim and the birds chirping from branches to branches. The Hawaiian culture is so abundant in here that somehow you'll appreciate and understand the life they got way back. Do not skip this historical site if you are around Kona. PS; Pu'uhonua O Hōnaunau is one of the only places in Hawaii where the flag of Hawaii can officially fly alone without the American flag. Mahalo for reading and happy juandering fellow yeeps.

This place is definitely an interesting place to see the Hawaiian culture. A bit of things to see and worth a checkout if your nearby. Parking is 20 dollars but I came at 4:30 pm and there was no attendant at the parking so I just drove in.

On the morning of Wednesday July 26th, we paid a visit to the Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historic Park (AKA place of refuge). As a military veteran with a NPS annual pass, we got in for free. Otherwise, it would've been $20 per vehicle. Our visit started with an introduction video in their amphitheater. Afterwards, I recommend using the map as you tour the grounds. I also recommend wearing sturdy shoes as there was a woman wearing heels as she was posing for pictures. She was possibly an aspiring model who was struggling to walk on all the sand and volcanic rocks. To conclude, the Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historic Park is worth a visit.

Interestingly...historical national parks haven't been my thing. I'm more of a scenic sightseeing type of person. But I had some extra time for exploring around The Big Island and this Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park near the western portion of the island and town of Kona. I was actually staying on the opposite side of the island in Hilo...about a 100-mile drive away. But it was all worth it coming to check this park out! So...here I was at Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park! And this place was terrific! The sights and sceneries along the beach coast were so vintage and emblematic of what you'd expect Hawaii to appear like. Pu'uhonua O Honaunau was stunningly beautiful! What truly stood out for me was the abundance of palm trees dispersed all around the park. Palm trees and more palm trees and more palm trees! They all really exuded a photogenic experience rather than maybe being here for historical purposes. Now...most people will disagree with me that the primary reason for visiting Pu'uhonua O Honaunau Park is to get a firsthand glimpse of what life was like for the early settlers of this land. These natives making a fruitful life for themselves was probably very inspiring. I'd say that's why 95% of the tourists stop here, to connect with the past. For myself...simply walking around on the beach sand among endless palm trees beside black volcanic ash rocks and turquoise beach waters (especially when the sun shined brightly)...really took my breathe away! I spent about 2 quality hours simply admiring the lay of the land. I'm not sure if this is the proper way to describe my feelings...but I had this feeling of nostalgia...like I was transported far away from reality, standing on a tropical beach in the middle of nowhere. What I'm trying to say is...I was brought back to simpler times. And so...although I walked past all the historical markers and aspects about the park...I was still very much in awe of how lucky these early settlers were immersed in such happy/charming surroundings. If you do come here more for the touristy experience, I believe you will be rewarded. Let me give some insight and details into Pu'uhonua O Honaunau Historical Park.... - The park sits about 20 miles south of Kona along Highway 160. - Simply plug the park's name into Google Maps and you'll easily be directed here. - I'd recommend stopping right at the entrance to the park and taking a picture with the Welcome Sign...great for a photogenic moment. - It is $20 entrance fee to the park but for some unknown reason they were not collecting fees when I visited on Saturday, March 12th, 2022. I guess, lucky for me! - The parking lot was relatively small though I was still able to find a spot for a prime weekend day to come to the beach. - The Visitors Center/Gift Shop was located right in front of the parking lot. You can't miss it. Here you can purchase little souvenirs and keepsakes as well as stamping your National Parks Passport. - I believe you can rent yourself headphones for taking your own self-guided tour throughout the park. - Walking towards the right from the Gift Shop was a pathway leading onto the beach. When reaching the beach sands...you're basically free to explore at your own accord. - They do have a bunch of straw hut homes and old-fashioned statue remnants remaining on the beach from when early natives began their lives. You can walk inside some of them and take photos as well. - The entire area of the park is small. You can hang out within 1 - 1.5 hours' time and accomplish everything you need to see. - 26 miles north from here just outside the town of Kona is...Kaloko Honokohau National Historical Park, another worthwhile park to visit which boasts very similar surroundings to here at Pu'uhonua O Honaunau. Within such a short distance, you can optimally check off 2 photogenic historical parks without having to travel far distances to visit them both in the same day. And afterwards, you're right nearby lively Kona where you can grab drinks and dinner in the evening. Overall, however you decide to explore Pu'uhonua O Honaunau NP (either the amazing scenery, historical purposes and/or enjoying all aspects) this place should be high on everyone's priority lists to stop at for better understandings of what makes this area so unique to the natives and locals of The Big Island of Hawaii.

Great historical site. Please be mindful of the sacred ground you tread as you visit. You are able to do an audio tour if you wish as you walk around. Very easy terrain to walk around. Two-step is near by and sometimes snorkelers swam to the edges of the park (which I though was pretty disrespectful), so that may ruin the ambiance. Bathrooms available on site. There is also a movie you can watch, but it's about 30 min long and not sure what times they run so we didn't know how far in they were when we arrive. They also seem to have weekly classes surrounding different topics.

Came here to express my rights as a Native Hawaiian. This is a sacred place of refuge and paying our respects to our Kupuna (ancestors) as well a learning space. They welcome visitors from all over the world. When visiting please come with respect and leave with knowledge. It's well maintained with a small covered outdoor theater, little gift shop, and restrooms. The grounds are covered with sandy pathways and the shoreline around the park are not swimming grounds. There is near by swimming areas outside of the park.

I've been to a TON of National Parks from Hawaii to Washington DC, from Alaska to Florida and by far Pu'uhonua O Honaunau is my favorite. It looks like an actual screen saver in real life. Went here on 2/22/2021 and the weather was perfect under the palms, there were so many fish and it was like a dream. This was a city of refuge and it's so interesting to see this concept in a culture far removed from the land of the Bible.

Great views lovely water good stories of the past good spot to stop at grab a bit grab a hike

Beautiful. Sacred. Must see. Please be respectful of this space while visiting. Please take the time to listen to the stories and observe the presentations... You may feel the powerful, heavy energy that this land and it's history has to offer, so please be sure to take care of yourself if you're sensitive to that kind of thing (drink lots of water!).. The energy is powerful and real in my opinion, so please be aware. Enjoy the natural beauty!!

We purchased the tri-park pass for Volcanoes and Haleakala which also included Pu'uhonua. It was just a few minutes from where we were staying so we took an hour to go check it out. It had some beautiful views of the ocean and very interesting cultural displays to learn about. We enjoyed our visit and liked that it didn't take too long to get there and explore. We did wish there was a little more to look at and do but going to the beach right next to the park made the trip worth it!

Beautiful black sand beach! So different from other beaches I've been to in my life. Very peaceful and serene atmosphere. Not crowded at all, maybe due to its remote location. We stopped here on our way to Kilauea. Huge turtles chilling in the beach and lots of geckos on the trees. Check it out, but leave the sand!

Casual, leisure stroll with striking views. This is a sacred site so please be respectful when visiting...it reminds me of the Brady bunch Hawaiian episode.

Fun and educational for adults and kids. Parking and entrance fee is free with the national parks pass or 4th grader pass. Easily spend 1 hour here. Ive been to many national parks and this is by far the most different. It's located by the beach and the entire park is located outdoors. A lot of facinating facts about the Heiau. The weather is airy and comfortable for a stroll around the park. It is also walking distance to two-steps for snorkel.

The National Historical Park at Pu'uhonua o Hōnaunau was such a wonderful opportunity for education and exploration of the beautiful, historic, and well-preserved Hawaiian monumental architecture that made this a legendary site of refuge where fugitives who had broken kapu (sacred law) could seek safety and forgiveness within its walls. The waterfront location with trails, buildings, palm trees, statues, reflecting pools, and walls is as divine as you'd dream about finding on the Big Island of Hawaii; however, it is the significance of Pu'uhonua o Hōnaunau as land with heiau (sacred structures) that offered protection for anyone which makes the site special. The system of Pu'uhonua has roots in Polynesian culture and is reported to have begun in Kona about 450 years go by chief Ehu kai malino. This majestic location has been maintained and restored with a massive L-shaped wall known as the Pā Pu'uhonua (Great Wall) on its southern and eastern sides. To the north and west is the ocean. Three other important structures to check out are the the Ancient Heiau, Hale o Keawe, and Ālealea Heiau. We came late in the afternoon when it was quiet and respectful. The setting and significance all left a lasting impression about the history of Hawaii while also peacefully reinforcing the beauty and spirit of being on the Big Island. The trails and park are small so it took us just about an hour to explore.

This 180 acre national park is located at Honaunau Bay in south Kona. It is the home of ancient Hawaiian Chieftains, as well as, a refuge for Hawaiian lawbreakers. According to ancient Hawaiian culture, those that have broken Kupu (sacred laws) could attempt to get to Pu'uhonua the sacred place and seek absolution for their crimes. A special ceremony would be performed and the lawbreaker would be absolved of their crime and return to society. The grounds of the National Park include: an 18' Great Wall, fierce ku (wooden images of god guards, the Hale O Keawe Heelau (sacred temple that houses the bones of all 23 alii chiefs). Other points of interest are the Black Lava Cove, Keoneele Cove (the royal canoe landing), Keoua-Stone (the favorite resting place of the high chiefs of Kona, Keoua, a Halau (thatched roof house), a canoe wood carver is also on site. The park's visitor center is open from 8:15 to sunset. The admission charge is $20 for a non=commercial vehicle with a maximum capacity of 8 people. The America the Beautiful card is honored here.

This is a definitely must do. First bring a picnic lunch. Plan for 2 hours of hiking around the lagoon area, tide pools and relics. Wear good shoes for walking on the volcanic rock. In the lagoon we got to see a green sea turtle snacking on something on in the rocks. Lots of tang (yellow fish) and various other small fish in the tide pools. The cost is $15 per car load. We got in free with a national park pass. If you don't have one I suggest getting one. There good at any national park in the US. Once you're done hiking around and have seen the park. Drive your car around back to the accessible beach and picnic area. Sit under the shade and enjoy the scenic coastline!

Nice hike after exploring the sacred grounds of Hawaii's past royalty. Bring sunscreen and shoes suitable to walking on lava rocks as slippers/flip flops will definitely not work. And look out for goats!

A cool historical site. It gets pretty hot so be sure to reef friendly sunscreen and wear a hat or bring an umbrella. It is located about 45 mins from the airport and there's a $20 fee or takes the national park pass. If you want to avoid the fee you may find parking on the outside of the entrance but gets pretty crowded because of the beach access area which is a great place to swim so bring a bathing suit and snorkel.

A beautiful location with history, mostly self guided however, they have colorful demonstrations on certain days check the national park service website to find out what's happening each day. Would prefer that they didn't charge his much for parking.

Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Park is a stunning and beautiful national park that is a very sacred spot. The moment you walk in, you can see exactly why. There is so much rich and cultural history preserved here and I would highly recommend anyone come here and take in its serene beauty. You can truly feel the energy of this place when you're walking around. You can see the water, take a peak into the past and it's right next to an amazing swimming/snorkeling spot as well. Hands down one do the most beautiful spots on the island, do not pass this spot. The water is crystal clear and holds a special place in my heart.

Staff is very friendly and knowledgeable, entrance fee, lots of places to explore and learn.

Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park or the Place of Refuge is a must visit place on the Big Island. It is on the southwestern part of the island (about an hour drive from Kona Airport) so give yourself enough time to go. If you are wanting to snorkel, the beach right there is a great spot- Two Step Beach at Honaunau Bay. Your America the Beautiful Park pass can be used for entrance into this historical park. Walking around the ruins felt very peaceful. It was quiet and people were walking around respectfully. The wooden statues are well known to travelers around the world. It wasn't allowed but I would love to set up a hammock here or even spend the night. Go check out Pu'uhonua O Honaunau and take your time walking around.

Wow! I'm so glad I found this on Yelp. What a beautiful, historic site. There's about 16 points of interest marked but don't let the number fool you. It may seem a lot but the walk was so scenic and peaceful. I would give yourself about 1-2 hours here. Obviously more if you got the time because it's a GREAT place for many photo ops. $15.00 per vehicle. I was glad to learn about the history and backstories about this National Park. It was surreal to me to be on ancient Hawaiian grounds. Such a breathtaking experience. Truly must visit when you're visiting The Big Islands.

Our family of five from Texas and Oklahoma visited Oahu and the Big Island for Spring Break! We are avid National Park tourists so the 4 National Park sites on the Big Island were on our to do list while visiting! We learned so much about the Hawaiian Culture while visiting the sites!! My favorite at Pu'uhonua O Honaunau was looking at all the Ki'i. There were many and so interesting to look at them and learn the history of them!! All the employees were so friendly and answered any questions we had! We received our Junior Ranger Badges at all four parks on the Big Island and completed the Hawaiian Pacific Parks book for prizes for the grandsons!! Our only downfall was we did not have enough time to properly tour and learn all they had to offer at the parks!! I would definitely recommend visiting all of the National Parks on the Big Island as I cannot pick a favorite!!

We came at 7:10am and realized that the park does not open until 8:15. The website indicated they open at 7:00am. We were able to park in front of the gate and entered the park without paying the $10/person or $20/car fees. We only spent 45 minutes walking around the park. We enjoyed the beautiful white sand with palm trees and historical landmarks. It was nice to get there early since there were not a lot of people. We then walked down the small street across the parked area to snorkel in Honaunau Bay (Two Steps). There were many beautiful fishes there.

GPS took us the wrong way to this place so it was a bit of a challenge getting here. We saw people parking away from the place so we thought it must be free to get in? NO!! $7 a person or $15 a car. We went back and got our car. The place is beautiful and the sites are amazing to look at. It's not as large as I thought it would be but seeing as how hot it was I was OK with that today. It's a nice place to bring the family to see some of what Hawaii has to offer and get a little history on the island. Overall, I enjoyed the experience here and photos and words don't do this place justice. Come and visit.

Neat little national park site. Very cool tidal pools. Nice waterfront area. Rangers are friendly and informative. Nice junior ranger program. Not a ton of interpretive content. Worth visiting if in area.

While visiting Kona, my friends and I wanted to visit some of the more scenic sites and Hawaii. We decided to come here, about a 25 minute drive from where we were staying at! Upon arriving, there was at $15 entry fee for cars. We parked and walked in, the one thing I love about this is that it doesn't take much walking once you parked. A lot of the sites for pictures are just within a 10 min walk. While in there, we visited historic huts, volcanic rocks, a place for chess, tiki statues, and an oasis with the island/ ocean background that is just phenomenal! $15 well spent!!

Stopped here for about an hour to walk around and learn about historic Hawaii. We didn't have nearly enough time. I'd allot at least 2-3 hours and read the pamphlet you're given. Especially for the price of admission (which I forget). Great views of water. Bring water shoes. The nearby beach was a little crowded considering it is covid time, but not so crowded considering it was early afternoon on a weekend.

This park is the recognized Place of Refuge. Anyone into Hawaiian history and culture will make this trip. I am one of these people. The place of refuge is simply one of the best places on earth to recollect your bearings in this crazy fast-paced world. Wooden carvings of Hawaiian gods. The water. The turtles. The locals and tourists swimming in the lagoon. It makes me think of former centuries when our ancestors were more connected to nature. When we went in summer of 2018, we came across turtles frolicking in the water beyond the lava rocks. One guy fell and cut his leg trying to get a photo. He was laughing about it with his family so we knew he would be okay. The ancient Hawaiians should always be remembered, so I am happy this is a protected national park. Anyone visiting the big island - take refuge here for a day on your trip. Connect with the Hawaiian gods, the ancient Hawaiians. Breathe. Clear your mind. And enjoy the rest of your trip and return home feeling renewed and at peace with whatever is going in your life.