Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park

Welcome to Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park, situated beautifully on the sun-drenched western coast of the Big Island of Hawaii. I am delighted to be your scholarly guide through this profoundly sacred landscape. …

As we descend the trail and follow the sandy path to our right, we enter the exclusive domain known historically as the Royal Grounds. Feel the crunch of the white sand beneath your feet and listen to the rustle of the swaying…

Continuing our leisurely stroll through the shaded Royal Grounds, we encounter a fascinating artifact that offers a brilliant glimpse into the daily leisure activities of the ancient Hawaiian elite. Here, carved directly into a…

As we confidently leave the shade of the coconut groves, a monumental architectural achievement demands our immediate attention. Rising up from the flat, sandy earth is an imposing barrier constructed entirely of dry-stacked…

Passing cautiously through an opening in the Great Wall, we now arrive at the very spiritual heart of the pu'uhonua area. Standing prominently at the edge of the beach, silently overlooking the vast expanse of the ocean, is the…

We now walk directly into the protected pu'uhonua area, the fabled City of Refuge itself. If you look out toward the open ocean, you will immediately notice that the dramatic coastline here is vastly different from the serene…

Let us now transition from the rugged, wave-battered sanctuary coast back toward the sheltered interior of the historic park. As we move inland, we encounter a fascinating aspect of ancient Hawaiian agriculture and resource…

As we approach the southern end of the park's developed area, we discover the rugged trailhead for the historic 1871 Trail. This pathway offers a remarkable journey deeply into the park's backcountry, moving away from the coastal…

As our self-guided journey through Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park gracefully draws to a close, take a moment to stand near the coastline one last time, looking out toward the endless, blue horizon of the Pacific.…