Honaunau, Big Island

Honaunau at a Glance

Honaunau is located at near Honaunau Bay in South Kona. It is famous for its Royal Grounds and national historic park which was once a sanctuary for ancient lawbreakers.

In 12th century, Pu'uhonua O'Honaunau or the City of Refuge was built 20 miles South of Kailua in Honaunau, Kona to be used as political and religious haven. In those times the native Hawaiian’s should follow Kapu, or sacred laws as part of their culture. Death penalty is given for those who break the Kapu law. To avoid being punished, the law-breaker seeks refuge from the sanctuary. Inside, ceremonies of absolution took place and the law-breaker could escape death and got out of the sanctuary. The sanctuary was separated by massive walls of 10 feet high and 17 feet thick from the Royal Grounds, the sacred home of alii or chiefs. Fierce kii, or wooden images of gods, guard the Hale o Keawe Heiau, the sacred temple housing the bones of 23 alii, or chiefs.

During King Kamehameah II rule, traditional religious practices ended and structures of ancient religious sites were tore down. In 1920, it became a country park and in 1961 it was named as national historical park maintaining the glimpse of the ancient Hawaiian setting.

As of 2000, the population of Honaunau reached 2,414 people comprising of White, African American, Native American, Asian, Pacific Islander, Hispanic or Latino. Per capita income was $20,025. There were 846 households with average household size of 2.85.

Honaunau’s zip code is 96726.

Honaunau in Bullet Points

Honaunau Location

Honaunau Map (top)

Honaunau Weather (top)

Now
74°F
Windchill:
74°F
Fair
Location: Honaunau, HI, US
Wind: 0 mph N
Humidity: 59%
Visibility: 0.1 mi
Pressure: 30.01 in rising
Sunrise: 6:35 am
Sunset: 5:44 pm Fri
Hi: 83°F
Low: 73°F
Partly Cloudy
Sat
Hi: 84°F
Low: 74°F
Partly Cloudy