Traditional Hawaiian tiki wood carvings next to a thatched-roof temple building at Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historic Park.

The park is located on the west coast of the island of Hawaii. The historical park preserves the site where, up until the early 19th century, Hawaiians who broke a kapu or one of the ancient laws against the gods could avoid certain death by fleeing to this place of refuge or "puʻuhonua". The offender would be absolved by a priest and freed to leave. Defeated warriors and non-combatants could also find refuge here during times of battle. The grounds just outside the Great Wall that encloses the puʻuhonua were home to several generations of powerful chiefs.

The park was originally established in 1955 as City of Refuge National Historical Park and was renamed on November 10, 1978. It includes the puʻuhonua and a complex of archaeological sites including: temple platforms, royal fishponds, sledding tracks, and some coastal village sites. The Hale o Keawe temple and several thatched structures have been reconstructed.

Manuka State Park.

Punaluu Black Sand Beach Park on the south end of the island.

Punaluu Black Sand Beach Park.

Foliage at Punaluu Black Sand Beach Park on the southern tip of the big island.

Foliage at Punaluu Black Sand Beach Park on the southern tip of the big island.