The hipped shake roof, deep overhanging eaves, and lanai of the building reflect the design of the Park's Visitor Center nearby.

Pu'uhonua O Honaunau Administration Building.

Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park is located on 180 acres on the Kona coast of the island of Hawaii. The site is revered in Hawaiian culture as a place of refuge, and it contains such cultural features as a 1000-foot-long wall, heiau, three halua (sled tracks), foundations of early houses, and petroglyphs.

The previous administration building was built almost 50 years ago, directly on top of some petroglyphs, and intruded upon the native strand ecosystem and the shoreline scenery. It will be removed. In its place Mason Architects designed a new 3300-square-foot administration building for the northeast corner of the site, accessible to but not intrusive upon the primary cultural resources or the visitors' experience of the Park.

• The building is raised four feet above the undulating lava rock on concrete piers and beams, and located to minimize impact on any petroglyphs in the area.
• It is connected to the parking lot by a pedestrian bridge, from which incoming water pipes are suspended.
• The building's hipped shake roof, deep overhanging eaves, and lanai are suited to the Kona environment and compatible with the design of the nearby visitor center.
• The interior layout of the building is relatively open, and rooms serve multiple purposes where possible to reduce its footprint size.
• Natural light filters through glass windows, doors, and the glass walls of the reception area.
• The structure utilizes energy-efficient equipment and is designed to have minimal impact on the natural environment.