This interesting historical park awaits your exploration. Close by is the best snorkeling in Hawaii, known as “Two Steps.” It is located over twenty miles south of Kona on Route 11. There is a large sign to point the way on Route 160 on Keala O Keawe Road.

I would not recommend Route 160 that juts north of this park as the shoulders are non-existent, and in parts it turns into a single lane road. We took this route leaving the park; my wife did not like this route.

Puuhonua is operated by the U.S. Park Service and there is a five dollar charge. If you are 62, highly recommend the senior pass that will get you into all the National Parks for free, forever.

Puuhonua is “a place of refuge” for those that broke Hawaiian laws. If one was lucky to arrive, you redeemed yourself through a “ceremony of redemption.”

Today the historical park is 180 acres and some of the original places in this ancient site still exist. Puuhonua is still considered sacred. Every so often, there are authentic ceremonies with the entire Hawaiian motif.

The refuge sits right on the spectacular blue Pacific.

Close by is “Two Steps,” probably the best place to snorkel on the Big Island and maybe the State of Hawaii. It was clear, plenty of fish and we even was able to see some sleeping sharks in a cave.

We have seen people who come to Two Steps find parking along the road and not pay the $5 fee in the historical park.