National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Puùhonua o Hōnaunau 

National Historical Park

Ranger Explorer

Activity Guide

Ages 6-12

Discover & Explore!
Welcome to Pu`uhonua o Hōnaunau 

National Historical Park

Pu`uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park is 

a special place with deep significance to Hawaiian 

culture and history. Here, a royal residence, a place of 

refuge, and a sacred temple have been preserved and 

protected for future generations. 

 Ma’o hau hele (yellow hibiscus) is the state 

 flower of Hawai’i. 

How to become a Junior Ranger

Junior Rangers are dedicated young people who 

help to protect the natural and cultural resources of 

Pu’uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park. 

Parents are encouraged to take the opportunity 

in guiding your child’s learning experience and to 

discover for yourself the wonders of the last remaining 

pu’uhonua (place of refuge) in Hawai’i.

Complete four or more activities and the Park 

Ranger Duties page in this booklet. Present the 

booklet to the Park Ranger at the Visitor Center to 

recite the Junior Ranger Pledge and to receive your 

Junior Ranger Badge and Certificate.
1

Places to Explore

Using the walking tour guide section of the park 

brochure, explore the royal grounds, Keone`ele Cove, 

the Great Wall, and the sacred temple of Hale o Keawe 

with its many ki’i (wooden images). Walk around the 

seaward side through the pu’uhonua and return back 

as you walk between the royal fish ponds. 
2

1. The Royal Grounds

This is where the ali’i (royal chiefs or kings) resided. 

It is a place where the maka’āinana (the common 

people) were forbidden to enter. The penalty for 

breaking this kapu (sacred law) was death. 

Find a quiet place to sit.

List five things you see:

1. 2. 3.

4. 5.

How is it different from the town you live in?

What do you hear?

What don’t you hear (like traffic noise)?
3

Your Royal Grounds

You are the ali’i nui (high chief of the entire island). 

You have found this wonderful place in Hōnaunau and 

have decided to build your home here. 

If you were the high chief, what you would like to 

have on your own royal grounds?

Make a list or draw your own Royal Grounds.

2. 
4

The Great Wall

This massive wall with a thickness of 17 feet, height 

of 10 feet and extending over 1000 feet towards the 

sea was built sometime in the 1500’s to separate the 

pu’uhonua from the royal grounds. Some of the stones 

used to construct the wall are massive, weighing 

several tons (1 ton = 2000 pounds).

Can you find the largest stone in the wall (hint: it has 

slightly reddish color and faces the royal grounds)? 

Draw yourself standing next to the stone.

How do you think the ancient Hawaiians moved the 

massive stones without any large equipment that we 

have today?

3. 

Believe it or not: 

Legend says that 

it took only 5 

days to build the 

wall.
5

4. Under Water

The waters of Hōnaunau Bay (bordering the park 

on the north side) are teeming with life. From the 

walking path you can look out into the waters 

and see a variety of colorful wildlife: fish, turtles, 

crustaceans and more. 

Please give the green sea turtle and angelfish bright 

and beautiful colors. 

(Crayons are available at the visitor center.)
6

Hale o Keawe

The sacred temple of Keawe was and still is a place of 

worship where ho’okupu (offerings) are placed on the 

lele (tower). The temple possessed tremendous mana 

(spiritual power) to protect the pu’uhonua and was 

the resting place of the bones of many past ali’i. 

Today what you see is a close replica of the original 

structure that was built around 1650 including the 

many ki’i (wooden images). Hale o Keawe (literally 

meaning the House of Chief Keawe) is dedicated to 

god Lono. Lono and Kū, two of the four major gods of 

ancient Hawai’i, have ki’i standing tall at the temple.

gods represent

Lono god of agriculture, rain, peace, 

wisdom and prosperity

Kū god of war and forest

If you were to bring an offering, what would you 

bring and why?

5. 

Lono Kū
7

Your ‘Aumakua (Family god)

In ancient times, every family had an ‘aumakua

(a guardian spirit) which was the spirit of deceased 

ancestors.

The ‘aumakua could take on a physical form such as an 

animal, sea life, plants, clouds or anything in nature to 

communicate with their descendants. For example, a 

family that lived along a shore whose main skill was 

fishing, their ‘aumakua might be a certain type of fish 

or a shark. 

If you had lived in ancient Hawaií, what would your 

‘aumakua to be?

Why?

 

Draw your family ‘aumakua.

6. 
8

Pu’uhonua

A pu’uhonua is a place of refuge –– this is the best 

preserved pu’uhonua in Hawai’i. People who broke the 

kapu (sacred laws) could come here for forgiveness. It 

was also a refuge for defeated warriors and people in 

time of war. 

Kapu regulated the daily 

activities and relationships of 

ancient Hawaiians. It outlined 

the ways of worship of the 

gods and regulated the natural 

resources of the ‘āina (land) and 

the sea to conserve the finite 

resources for future generations. 

Everyone respected the kapu including the ali’i. If one 

were to break a kapu, the punishment was usually 

death unless he or she made it to a pu’uhonua for 

forgiveness by the gods. Once a kapu breaker reached 

pu’uhonua, no one could harm them and the kahuna 

(priest) would perform a purification ceremony to 

remove the guilt of breaking the kapu. 

Some examples of kapu are:

•	 One could not fish for certain kind of fish at 

certain times. This was to protect fish during 

spawning season (when the fish reproduce) so there 

would be lots of baby fish.

•	 Not praying to a god or disrupting a religious 

ceremony. Respect of the gods, who represent all 

things on earth, was very important.

•	 Women were not allowed to eat pork, bananas 

and certain types of fish. These foods were 

common offerings to the gods and therefore were 

forbidden to women.

7. 
9

Today’s Kapu

Just like the ancient Hawaiians, there are laws and 

rules that we all live by. 

List some of the rules in your house.

Do you think that these rules are fair and necessary? 

Why or why not?

Now list some of the rules at the school that you 

attend.

Do you think that these rules are fair and necessary? 

Why or why not?

If there were no rules or kapu, what do you think may 

happen?
10

“Canoe” Plants Brought to Hawaií

Pu’uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park is 

home to many Polynesian introduced plants. Early 

Polynesians brought with them in canoes many of the 

essential plants to survive in a new land. 

As you walk around the park, try to identify these 

important plants and as you discover them check them 

off in the box next to the names. 

 Hala (Pandanus)

Leaves were used as canoe sails, weaving baskets, 

mats, hats, and sandals. The bark and roots were used 

to make dyes and the fruit was used as paint brush.

 Noni (Indian Mulberry)

The fruit of the noni tree was used as medicine to cure 

many illnesses. Also the root, bark, leaves, and flower 

were used as medicine and for dyes.

 Niu (Coconut Palm)

Like other plants, every part of the coconut tree was 

used. Coconut was used as food, leaves for weaving 

baskets and roofing, and the trunk for wood and 

musical instruments.

8. 
11

9. Voyage to a New Home

Like the early Polynesians who explored the oceans, 

discovered the Hawaiian Islands and settled here, you 

and your family will set out to explore and discover 

unknown land for your new home. What would you 

take with you to live and survive? 

List 8 items that you would take with you. 

1. 5.

2. 6.

3. 7.

4. 8.

Draw or describe one item that you consider to be 

most important.

Why?
12

The People of Ancient Hawai’i

In traditional Hawaiian society, people were born into 

different groups or social status.

Ali’i ruled the land. The highest group was the 

ali’i. They were the chiefs who ruled the land with 

the mana (spiritual power) from the gods. They 

were responsible for the welfare and security of the 

population. The ali’i was not just the ruler but was 

also the chief warrior. Anytime there was a battle 

or war, the ali’i led the battle. So the ali’i had great 

responsibilities to lead his people, who believed the 

ali’i was a god in human form. 

The kahuna were the religious leaders. They were 

the kahuna (priests and highly skilled craftsman). They 

communicated with the gods and advised the ali’i. 

It was their duty to know how to appease the gods. 

They were also the highly skilled craftsmen as well as 

medical specialists. The kahuna also went into battle 

next to the ali’i.

The maka’ inana were the most numerous of the 

different groups. They were the common people 

who lived by fishing, farming, craft work and paying 

taxes to the ali’i. Maka’āinana lived in ahupua’a

(traditional land divisions) that ran from the sea to the 

mountains where all the resources to survive existed. 

They raised families, took care of the land and the sea 

and were the backbone of the Hawaiian society. 

10. 
13

Who Are You?

You have been chosen to be the first person to go 

back in time to ancient Hawai’i in a time machine. 

Which of the groups would you want to be in and 

why?

What skills and knowledge would you need to live in 

ancient Hawai’i?

How different or difficult do you think it would be 

to live without anything modern like computers, T.V., 

Nintendo, cars, refrigerator, or even foods like ice 

cream, chocolate, and peanut butter? 

What five things would be the hardest to live 

without?
14

People of the National Park Service

This and other national parks would not be able to 

exist without the dedication and hard work of many 

people. Some of the park staff are shown below with 

their job description and pictures.

Draw a line from the jobs on the left to the 

corresponding pictures on the left.

I am Resource Management

I study and protect the cultural and natural 

resources in the park. I work with plants, 

animals, and historical objects. I help to control 

the invasive species that threaten native 

species.

I am Maintenance

I keep the park clean and maintain buildings, 

roads and visitor facilities. Sometimes I work 

with big equipment.

I am Park Ranger

(Law Enforcement) 

I keep the visitors and park employees safe. 

I respond to emergencies and help people 

who are hurt.

11. 
15

National Park Service

Mission

The National Park Service preserves the natural and 

cultural resources and values of the national park 

system for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration 

of this and future generations. 

If you could be a National Park employee who would 

you want to be?

Why?

12. 
16

Park Ranger Duties

You can be a Junior Park Ranger. Draw yourself with 

your name tag, badge, and a smile under the hat.

As a Junior Park Ranger, your job is to share 

information about the park. 

Answer some questions from park visitors and write 

your answers of why or why not?

1. Is it okay to climb on the Great Wall? 

 Yes No Why or why not? 

2. Can someone carve their name on the wooden 

structures? 

 Yes No Why or why not? 

3. Is it okay to touch the turtles?

 Yes No Why or why not? 
JUNIOR RANGER PLEDGE

As a Junior Ranger, I pledge to always do the following:

1. I pledge to protect the land, plants, wildlife and special places at 

Pu`uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park and to keep the park 

clean.

2. I pledge to leave things in their rightful place and tell my friends and 

parents to do the same.

3. I pledge to learn more about the National Parks and how to protect 

them.

Created by Pu`uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park

Supported by Student Conservation Association

Visit us online at: http://www.nps.gov/puho
Junior Ranger Certificate

is hereby awarded to:

for the highest achievement in the dedication and 

Park Ranger

protection of all national parks for future generations

Date