Nuʻuanu Pali Lookout
Nuʻuanu Pali State Wayside
A cliff lookout at a pass in the Koʻolau Range, overlooking the emerald cliffs of the east coast and Kaneohe Bay. It is also the old battlefield of the 1795 unification war.
The Pali Lookout sits at the pass on Pali Highway that leads from Honolulu to the east coast, at about 360 meters above sea level. From the lookout you can see the Koʻolau Range's sheer cliffs, like a green screen, with Kaneohe, Kailua and the bay below. In 1795, King Kamehameha I forced Oahu's defenders to the edge of these cliffs during the Battle of Nuʻuanu, a decisive battle in the unification of Hawaii. Strong winds blow here year-round, so hats and light items can easily be blown away. Non-residents must pay for parking. It is about 15 minutes' drive from downtown and can be combined with a trip to the east coast.
Opening hours
06:00–18:00
Nearby sights
- Mānoa Falls
- Kailua Beach Park
- Byodo-In Temple
- National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl)
- Lanikai Pillbox Hike (Kaʻiwa Ridge Trail)
- Lanikai Beach
- Honolulu Museum of Art
- Bishop Museum