Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park
National ParkSacred SiteHeiau
One of the most powerful places in Hawaiʻi. This ancient "place of refuge" sheltered those who broke kapu (sacred law) — reaching its walls meant absolution. The reconstructed temple platforms, carved kiʻi (guardian figures), and palm-shaded shoreline create an atmosphere that is both reverent and profoundly beautiful.
Tip $20/vehicle entrance fee (7-day pass). Visit at sunset for an unforgettable experience — the light on the carved figures is extraordinary.
Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park
National ParkFishpondsPetroglyphs
Just minutes from the Kona airport, this coastal park preserves ancient fishponds, petroglyphs, and heiau (temples) built by early Hawaiian settlers. Green sea turtles bask on the beach, and the Honokōhau settlement trail reveals how Hawaiians thrived on this arid coast.
Tip Free admission. The visitor center is open 8:30 AM–4 PM daily. Bring water and sun protection — there is little shade.
Huliheʻe Palace
PalaceMonarchyMuseum
A graceful 19th-century palace on Aliʻi Drive that served as a vacation home for Hawaiian royalty. The interior is filled with period furnishings, koa wood pieces, and artifacts that illuminate the lives of Hawaiian aliʻi (chiefs) during the monarchy era.
Tip Open Wednesday through Saturday, 10 AM–3:30 PM. Docent tours at 11:30 AM offer rich context.
Ahuʻena Heiau
HeiauKamehamehaSacred Site
When Kamehameha the Great returned to the Big Island in 1812, this was his personal temple and the center of political power in the Hawaiian kingdom during his final years. The restored heiau stands behind the King Kamehameha Hotel, its thatched structures and carved figures a striking reminder of Kona’s royal past.
Tip The heiau itself is sacred and cannot be entered. Free tours of the grounds depart from the hotel lobby at 1:30 PM on weekdays.
Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site
National ParkHeiauKamehameha
The massive stone temple that Kamehameha I built in 1790–91 to fulfill a prophecy and unite the Hawaiian islands under one rule. Standing at the base of its 224-by-100-foot platform, with the Pacific crashing below, you can feel the weight of that ambition.
Tip Free admission. Open daily 8 AM–4:45 PM. The visitor center has an excellent exhibit on the unification of Hawaiʻi.
Mokuaikaua Church
ChurchHistoricalArchitecture
Hawaiʻi’s oldest Christian church, built in 1837 from coral and ʻōhiʻa wood. Its 112-foot steeple has been a landmark for sailors entering Kailua Bay for nearly two centuries. The interior features beautiful craftsmanship and the church grounds offer a peaceful retreat steps from downtown Kona.
Tip Open daily. Free admission. Worth a brief stop while walking Aliʻi Drive.
75-5713 Aliʻi Dr, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Mauna Kea Observatory
AstronomyEducationalSummit
Home to some of the world’s most powerful telescopes, the Mauna Kea summit hosts 13 observatories operated by research institutions from around the globe. The Visitor Information Station at 9,200 feet offers free stargazing programs on select evenings with telescopes set up for public viewing.
Tip Requires a four-wheel-drive vehicle to reach the summit; the road sometimes closes for weather. Call ahead. The free stargazing program at the VIS is outstanding and doesn’t require the summit drive.
Mauna Kea Access Rd, off Saddle Road (Hwy 200)
