Natural Resource Condition Assessments for Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park

Black basalt beach lined with palm trees and a clear blue sky.
Puʻuhonua on the Island of Hawai’i.

NPS Photo

Located on the west coast of the island of Hawaiʻi, Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park preserves what was once the home of royal grounds and a place of refuge for ancient Hawaiian lawbreakers. Kapu, or sacred laws, were of utmost importance to Hawaiian culture, and the consequneces of breaking kapu often included death. If one were to break kapu, their only chance for survival was to evade their pursuers and make it to a puʻuhonua (place of refuge). There, a ceremony of absolution would enable the rulebreaker to return to society. The park is also the site of Royal Grounds, which was the sacred home of aliʻi (Polynesian chiefs). Visitors to the 420-acre park experience one of Hawaiʻiʻs most sacred historic places, hundreds of years old yet beautifully restored.

For other reports and natural resource datasets visit the NPS Data Store.

Source: Data Store Collection 7765 (results presented are a subset). To search for additional information, visit the Data Store.

Last updated: July 19, 2024

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