Nuuanu Pali Lookout, Oahu

Nuuanu Pali Lookout at a Glance

Here’s one spot that’s a feast for the eyes - Nuuanu Pali Lookout on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. The lookout is located on a 1,186-foot high (361 m) mountain pass perched before 3,000-foot (914 m) peaks. From up here you’ll enjoy a nice bird’s eye view of the towns of Kaneohe and Kailua, Kaneohe Bay, Chinaman’s Hat Island, the magnificent Koolau Mountain Range and the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean.

Often times it’s very windy here, so hold on to your hat, hairpieces, small dogs and children! On a very windy day, you will even get the impression or illusion that the nearby waterfall is flowing upwards!

Not only is Nuuanu Pali a popular lookout point, but it’s also a historic location. It was here where King Kamehameha I fought his last battle in his war to unite all the Hawaiian Islands with an army of 10,000 soldiers. In 1795, a few hundred warriors were driven off the cliff to their death 1,000 feet below by Kamehameha’s men. Legend has it that on certain nights, one can still hear the screams of the warriors. According to reports, workers unearthed 80 skulls believed to have belonged to the warriors during a road construction in 1848.

To get to the Nuuanu Pali Lookout, take the eastbound highway from Waikiki. Then take the Pali Highway Route 61 via Nuuanu Pali Drive. Just look out for the signs directing you to the lookout. The place is open to the public daily from 9 am to 4 pm. There is no admission fee.

Nuuanu Pali Lookout in Bullet Points

Enjoy one of the best birds eye views on Oahu, from the 1,186 feet high (361 m) summit of the Pali Highway
View the towns of Kaneohe and Kailua and the offshore island Chinaman's Hat
This is also the site of King Kamehameha's last battle in his war to unite all islands

Driving Directions to the Nuuanu Pali Lookout / Location

Address: Top of Pali Hwy., HI 96817

Nuuanu Pali Lookout Map (top)

Nuuanu Pali Lookout Weather (top)

Now
73°F
Windchill:
73°F
Mostly Cloudy
Location: Honolulu, HI, US
Wind: 5 mph N
Humidity: 73%
Visibility: 0.1 mi
Pressure: 30.04 in rising
Sunrise: 6:39 am
Sunset: 6:41 pm Tue
Hi: 80°F
Low: 68°F
Partly Cloudy
Wed
Hi: 80°F
Low: 68°F
Partly Cloudy