Overall:
scenic view from Pali lookout

Pali Lookout

Highlights:
  • Strong trade wind that can sweep you of your feet
  • Very beautiful panoramic scenery
  • Fantastic picnic area
Description:
Located about a 5 mile drive from downtown Honolulu, Nu'uanu Pali lookout offers one of the best scenic views of O'ahu. At a height of a 985 foot cliff of the Koolau Mountain Range, King Kamehameha defeated the O'ahu army in 1795 on that location. It includes breathtaking views of Kanoehe Bay, Chinaman's Hat, and Hawaii Pacific. The location has also made history in the Hawaiian Kingdom struggle, and offers visitors a thrilling experience with strong trade winds that can sweep you off your feet and great panoramic scenery.

Since ancient times to present day, Nu'uanu Pali has been vital as the traversal section that connects the leeward side, and Honolulu to the windward side.  Settlers made villages and populated the Nu'uanu valley for thousands of years. Of importance is also the Nu'uanu reservoir. It consists of small bodies of water that have various species of catfish. The river bed offers great opportunity for picnicking.

Stories told include superstitious tales that two black stones near the Nu'uanu Valey represent a pair of goddesses who are guardians of the passage down Pali. Visitors often left flowers to ensure a safe passage, and parents buried their new born umbilical cord for protection against evil.

The landscape is made up of big trees and dense forest. The terrace thousands of feet above the Oahu coastline, at occasions covered with clouds, overlooks areas of Kanoehe and Kailua. The University of Hawaii marine biology research center and Coconut Island are also visible. Continuing through the Pali tunnel, you can reach Windward Oahu and either to the beach town of Kailua or toward Kaneohe.
 
Type:
Scenic Lookout
Scenic Road
Features:
Parking
Hours:
Name
Day
Time
Nu'uanu pali lookoutDaily9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Activities
$
54
89
/ Adult
Overall:
$
81
25
/ Adult
Overall:
Location
Nuuanu Pali Drive, Honolulu, Honolulu, Hawaii, United States 96744
Reviews
8 reviews, 0 comments
Overall:
(4.9 of 5)
Great view
Overall:
Great view. Its a must quick stop. Very windy and chill up at the lookout. We didn't pay for parking since we literally were there 15 minutes.
Reply
0
2
So worth the drive, you get amazing views, and you could hike the trails
Overall:
So worth the drive, you get amazing views, and you could hike the trails.
Reply
0
2
A must see
Overall:
A must see. Take a camera. It is very easy to get to, and a short distance from Honolulu. Too easy to get to and too inexpensive to miss.
Reply
0
2
Hiked up to the Pali and enjoyed stunning view from the top and through the Puka
Overall:
Hiked up to the Pali and enjoyed stunning view from the top and through the Puka (a vertical lava hole). The trailhead is hidden behind the broken part of the wall along the bus parking lot. Trail is steep and along the cliff/ridge, so it can be a bit intimidating for those not comfortable with height. The view was totally amazing.
Reply
0
2
The lookout from here offers great views of the valley, mountains & ocean
Overall:
The lookout from here offers great views of the valley, mountains & ocean. I did not spend a lot of time here, but could have spent a long time just looking around & perhaps walking around as well.
Reply
0
2
Very scenic, just beautiful
Overall:
Very scenic, just beautiful. Can get windy!
Reply
0
2
Amazing view
Overall:
Amazing view! Highly recommend. Very windy! $3 parking. You need your plate number to pay.
Reply
0
3
My husband asked me to marry him her on my 22nd birthday
Overall:
My husband asked me to marry him her on my 22nd birthday!! It was the most beautiful place I have ever been in my life!
Reply
1
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