Pu'uhonua O Hōnaunau National Historical Park

Hawaii's Pu'uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park formerly protected defeated warriors and civilians during battle. The park includes a complex of archaeological sites.

Pu'uhonua o Hōnaunau National 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 "pu'uhonua". The offender was 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 pu'uhonua were home to several generations of powerful chiefs.