taquitos.net > travel guide > Hawaii's Big Island > Activities > Pu'uhonua O Honaunau (Place of Refuge) National Historical Park

Pu'uhonua O Honaunau (Place of Refuge) National Historical Park (Hawaii's Big Island)

More Hawaii's Big Island Activities

Location: Off Highway 160, Honaunau, West Kona Coast

Our thoughts: Place of Refuge is a 182-acre national park that offers a self-guided tour of archealogical finds and recreated Polynesian canoes, houses, statuary and more. You start at the park office and move your way down to the beach and to the actual Place of Refuge, walled-in sacred ground where those who broke ancient law could go. If you could make it to the Place of Refuge before you were killed by the king's soldiers, your death sentence was lifted.

Luckily, there are no king's warriors chasing you this time, you can take your time walking to the actual Place of Refuge, although now it's just a bunch of rocks and other Polynesian artifacts. It's a less expensive and a nice break from beach-going, snorkeling, helicopter rides and volcano climbs. You can also do some sea-turtle watching, although you are not allowed to bother them. That IS against the law, and running to the Place of Refuge won't help you there.

Tip: Wear comfy shoes, you spend a decent amount of time on the sand.

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