Pu'uhonua o Honaunau (Place of Refuge)

Yes. It is a flat, shaded walk past the ki'i, the great wall, and the fishponds, with rangers and signs telling the story. Two Step snorkeling is right next door for the afternoon.

A pu'uhonua was a place of refuge where someone who had broken a sacred law, or noncombatants in a time of war, could come to be absolved and spared. This one on Honaunau Bay is among the best preserved in all of Hawai'i.

Most visitors spend about an hour on the loop past the ki'i, the Great Wall, and the royal grounds, a little longer if you linger over the fishponds and the shoreline. Add time if you plan to snorkel at Two Step afterward.

This is a national park, so entry is a modest fee per vehicle that is valid for several days. Ask us for the current rate and whether an America the Beautiful pass covers your group.

Two Step, just outside the park boundary, is one of the coast's finest snorkel spots, and the historic Painted Church sits a short drive up the hill. Mornings here are cool and calm, so we suggest arriving early.