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The Nu'uanu Pali is a windward cliff section of the Ko'olau mountain on O'ahu. You can great panoramic shots of the coast of the island, even on days with a slight overcast. The views was great, and I loved seeing the greenery. A great spot to enjoy in the morning/evening; there's some great breeze up here, which feels great. +coast views
Scenic spot, definitely stop by, but hang on to your clothes because it be windy as hell up there. The most amusing part is watching people attempting to "fall" into the wind and having to maintain their balance in the process. The scariest part is trying to take pictures and realizing your phone could easily fly out of your hands. But yeah, go. It was fun. THE PARKING. Metered parking. A little ridiculous but it is what it is. COMING BACK? Sure. Maybe my phone will fly away next time.
BEAUTIFUL LOOKOUT. We went on a Sunday around 10am and it wasn't too crowded at all. We were fortunate enough to be able to get free parking (military & locals). There's some trails along the way up and some people even went up this random mud path beside the parking area.. idk if it's a good trail or not but a lot of people were going for it. Very steep & very muddy so keep that in mind if hiking is something you're interested in. Even with the clouds you were still able to see so much and it's honestly just breathtaking. The ridges in the mountain, the crystal blue waters, it truly doesn't get much better than that. Not a far drive from Waikiki. Took us about 20 mins and was well worth the drive. Can't wait till our family visits so we can take them back there.
Absolutely phenomenal stop while driving across the island! A bit of a sudden turn and a bit of a spooky winding road back to the clean and large parking lot. I paid the flat rate for parking via the park mobile app ($7.50 for 8 hours). We spent about 15 minutes taking in the sights and breathing in the crisp air. Highly recommend as a quick stop!
Even on a cloudy windy day this view was still absolutely beautiful. There's a parking lot right at the entrance but not very much space available. We went on a weekday and it was not crowded at all. Easily accessible! No one to speak to for service or questions and a pretty much come and go area. It was clean and very peaceful!
Beautiful Lookout spot! Not sure if there is any hiking here but, its a good place to get som Great views of the island! I dont think they should charge 7.5$ to park there though. Just saying...
This place was absolutely gorgeous, though it can be out of the way for most tourists. It's also really windy, but definitely worth for the views.
Beautiful place to visit with respect and admiration. The view is amazing and you can read and learn about the history. The wind blows here and it can be chilly so be prepared.
Finally, was able to visit this historical landmark from 1795! T'was quite fun & above all it is an educational park to visit. Unlike other parks, do not expect too much to do in here. But rest assured that your eyes will feast on a panoramic view from the lookout. And also, it will help you give a better understanding of the Hawaiian history which is a very interesting part for me. The Hawaiian island has so much to learn & I believed that this spot is one of the great way to educate & understand it yourself. Do not escape this place without reading the signs & writings they put within the area. Also, the wind is usually strong so you gotta be careful & hold on to the dearest railings. LoL. Residents can park the car without charging any cost but tourist needs to based on the certain amount. There is also a sign to not leave valuable items in the car, so you better follow that to avoid any dilemma ahead. Will surely recommend any one of you to visit this historical landmark & for sure you won't regret it. Mahalo for reading & happy juandering fellow Yeeps!
Worth the effort to find! After numerous trips to Oahu and drives to this side of the island, finally took the right road through the mountains to stop here. Awesome view and ample parking - free for Kamaainas We got turned around, exiting the attraction, pay attention to the roads to exit, if you want to go towards Honolulu.
A must go to spot if you're trying to see the tourist spots. Plenty of parking available but a flat fee of $7. The view is amazing. It gets windy but feels so good from all the sun I soaked up the day before. For those new to the island, read the informational signage posted before the look-out it will give you a better perspective of why the natives and their families are big on maintaining their island they way it is. This will be a spot I'd recommend friends and family who haven't been so they can appreciate the beauty the island has.
This is such a beautiful spot. My lil family had such a great time. A few things to be mindful of 1. Under no circumstances should u leave any valuables in your car!!! If your a tourist keep your license and credit cards on you ( Fanny pack, back pack) Do not try and come with your luggage in your trunk or your Louis Vuitton under your seat .... someone is always watching. 2. If you are ALLERGIC to Bee's hit up another lookout. I was super surprised at the number of bees! They were everywhere. We all know we need to protect the bee's - save them and yourself and skip this. 3. You have to pay for parking ... it was $3 at the time of my visit but could have increased by now ( the city has a rail to build) 4. It is extremely windy!! If you just did your hair - skip Have a great time sight seeing!!
We had family visiting from the mainland and since their hotel wasn't ready and they never went to Pali decided to take them there which they really enjoyed also because they are watching the Hawaii series with Jason Mamoa. The Park is well kept and they have parking meters self pay for visitors, if you're kamaina or military no parking fee. No restrooms read more
Windy !! This lookout was breathtaking but really windy this Saturday tour Nov16, 2024. Largest battle fought on this mountains by the lookout! When bridge was built here they dug a 7 foot pile of buried skeletons. May they all rest in peace! read more
The Nu'uanu Pali is a windward cliff section of the Ko'olau mountain on O'ahu. You can great panoramic shots of the coast of the island, even on days with a slight overcast. The views was great, and I loved seeing the greenery. A great spot to enjoy in the morning/evening; there's some great breeze up here, which feels great. +coast views read more
Scenic spot, definitely stop by, but hang on to your clothes because it be windy as hell up there. The most amusing part is watching people attempting to "fall" into the wind and having to maintain their balance in the process. The scariest part is trying to take pictures and realizing your phone could easily fly out of your hands. But yeah, go. It was fun. THE PARKING. Metered parking. A little ridiculous but it is what it is. COMING BACK? Sure. Maybe my phone will fly away next time. read more
BEAUTIFUL LOOKOUT. We went on a Sunday around 10am and it wasn't too crowded at all. We were fortunate enough to be able to get free parking (military & locals). There's some trails along the way up and some people even went up this random mud path beside the parking area.. idk if it's a good trail or not but a lot of people were going for it. Very steep & very muddy so keep that in mind if hiking is something you're interested in. Even with the clouds you were still able to see so much and it's honestly just breathtaking. The ridges in the mountain, the crystal blue waters, it truly doesn't get much better than that. Not a far drive from Waikiki. Took us about 20 mins and was well worth the drive. Can't wait till our family visits so we can take them back there. read more
2 years ago
Absolutely phenomenal stop while driving across the island! A bit of a sudden turn and a bit of a spooky winding road back to the clean and large parking lot. I paid the flat rate for parking via the park mobile app ($7.50 for 8 hours). We spent about 15 minutes taking in the sights and breathing in the crisp air. Highly recommend as a quick stop! read more
3 years ago
Even on a cloudy windy day this view was still absolutely beautiful. There's a parking lot right at the entrance but not very much space available. We went on a weekday and it was not crowded at all. Easily accessible! No one to speak to for service or questions and a pretty much come and go area. It was clean and very peaceful! read more
3 years ago
This place was absolutely gorgeous, though it can be out of the way for most tourists. It's also really windy, but definitely worth for the views. read more
Finally, was able to visit this historical landmark from 1795! T'was quite fun & above all it is an educational park to visit. Unlike other parks, do not expect too much to do in here. But rest assured that your eyes will feast on a panoramic view from the lookout. And also, it will help you give a better understanding of the Hawaiian history which is a very interesting part for me. The Hawaiian island has so much to learn & I believed that this spot is one of the great way to educate & understand it yourself. Do not escape this place without reading the signs & writings they put within the area. Also, the wind is usually strong so you gotta be careful & hold on to the dearest railings. LoL. Residents can park the car without charging any cost but tourist needs to based on the certain amount. There is also a sign to not leave valuable items in the car, so you better follow that to avoid any dilemma ahead. Will surely recommend any one of you to visit this historical landmark & for sure you won't regret it. Mahalo for reading & happy juandering fellow Yeeps! read more
Worth the effort to find! After numerous trips to Oahu and drives to this side of the island, finally took the right road through the mountains to stop here. Awesome view and ample parking - free for Kamaainas We got turned around, exiting the attraction, pay attention to the roads to exit, if you want to go towards Honolulu. read more
5 years ago
A must go to spot if you're trying to see the tourist spots. Plenty of parking available but a flat fee of $7. The view is amazing. It gets windy but feels so good from all the sun I soaked up the day before. For those new to the island, read the informational signage posted before the look-out it will give you a better perspective of why the natives and their families are big on maintaining their island they way it is. This will be a spot I'd recommend friends and family who haven't been so they can appreciate the beauty the island has. read more
2 years ago
This is such a beautiful spot. My lil family had such a great time. A few things to be mindful of 1. Under no circumstances should u leave any valuables in your car!!! If your a tourist keep your license and credit cards on you ( Fanny pack, back pack) Do not try and come with your luggage in your trunk or your Louis Vuitton under your seat .... someone is always watching. 2. If you are ALLERGIC to Bee's hit up another lookout. I was super surprised at the number of bees! They were everywhere. We all know we need to protect the bee's - save them and yourself and skip this. 3. You have to pay for parking ... it was $3 at the time of my visit but could have increased by now ( the city has a rail to build) 4. It is extremely windy!! If you just did your hair - skip Have a great time sight seeing!! read more
My wife and I made a quick stop here just to enjoy the breathtaking view we had heard this is offered at the Nu'uanu Pali Lookout within the park. There isn't a whole lot to do here other than take in the beautiful panoramic view of the Windward Coast of the island. I definitely think this is a must-stop if you're taking the 61 and heading from Waikiki toward Windward side of Oahu. There's plenty of parking, the area isn't too crowded, and it's a great photo-op that showcases a lot of Oahu's natural beauty and greenery. It can be a little windy and cold, but it's well worth stopping here! read more
6 years ago
My adventure started on the public bus when I was dropped off at Castle Junction, there's no bus stop at the very popular tourist lookout. Rental cars were over $250 a day to rent and Uber was non existent in this area. I walked up along the highway to another smaller lookout that does not appear on google maps and found a trail that connected with the old Pali road. I was the only hiker along this muddy trail and found the old abandoned Pali road which was an awesome experience to hike. Once at the top lookout where most of the tourist go I found out this section to enter old Pali road is closed to everyone but it's not closed off from the route I took up to the top. read more
I haven't been to Nu'uanu Pali State Park since a field trip when I was in grade school. However, it is only now that I appreciate the historical significance of this sight. This is where Kamehameha the Great, avenged a defeat 10 years earlier to the King of Maui. The battle was called Kaleleka'anae (Battle of the leaping 'anae fish). Kamehameha used superior weaponry (cannons) to drive the Maui forces to this location. His men then drove their opponents over the cliff. Kamehameha's victory unified the islands under one king for the first time. Kamehameha's use of Western weaponry to defeat his opponents was not well known. However, its not hard to imagine that the British knew what was going on, and backed a winner in Kamehameha. Its ironic that not long after his death, the Hawaiian monarchy was overthrown by Westerners. Its a short stop and a $3 charge for a state park. However, its well worth it to see the view, and learn a little Hawaiian history. read more
This was a good quick overlook view of beautiful Hawaii. When you are looking for overlooks of places to see. This is one good one. There is a parking fee of $3 per car though and that is pretty steep for maybe a 30-min view look and you have to use your car license plate number for validation. There is limited amount of parking and it can get busy here even during the weekdays. We happen to go here when it was sprinkling and windy! Good tour thing to do if you don't want to hike in Oahu and all you want to do is look at scenery. [109/100] read more
The Pali lookout or wind tunnel of Hawaii, a mountain pass separating the windward side of Oahu from the rest of the island. Historical battlefield is enough to get me going up here. Came with Blue Hawaiii Photo tours , driving up from Chinaman's Hat on the east coast through the twin tunnels in the mountains. Wild chickens roaming the huge parking lot. $3 cash parking on the honor system, but they do have parking attendants periodically checking. Didn't see any bathrooms, so if you are an old fart like me, go before you come. Tall mountains covered with lush green vegetation rising through the mists and clouds on both sides of the state park. On the north side is the forbidden 'Staircase to Heaven' trail, running along the top of the Koolau ridges. Other trails from the park go up the steep mountain sides. Most of them are illegal to hike. Signs along the mountain say beware of falling rocks! Panoramic view in a distance, Kaneohe Bay, and the eastern coast of Oahu. In 1795 over 400 warriors fell to their deaths 1000 feet below, from the sheer cliff sides in the battle of Nuuanu. If you go to the edge of the lower lookout, you can see the twin tunnels of the freeway cutting through the mountains. What a commute to Honolulu! If you think you had a bad hair day, wait until you come here! Fierce winds and rain in the wind tunnel of Hawaii, blasting through the mountain pass from the east coast. Bring your cameras, cover your legs, and hang onto your hats! read more
Seeking a killer view of Oahu and having heard great things from a friend, my husband and I decided to check it out. ++WHAT A VIEW! seriously, the best view of the island - showcasing the lush green trees, turquoise waters and historical sites! The drive up was gorgeous as well! ++ A mere $3 to park and walk into the entrance! ++ The park is small, yet feels much larger. Plenty of room for groups! ++ Perfect place for a photo op - with the perfect backdrop! ++ Gorgeous flowers and lush greenery surround the area! The only downside? THE WIND. It literally was blowing us over and my hair is in my face in half our photos (which I can't find now!), but the experience totally worth it! read more
7 years ago
Review #039 - 2020 After we had enough fun with Mickey & Minnie at Aulani, my brother decided to drive us around to tour some of the places that I've never been. It still surprises me how I've been to Oahu almost a hundred times, but there are still plenty of places that I haven't even been to yet and this spot is one of them and now I can check it off my list. We showed up at around 4 PM on Saturday, February 15th. My sister-in-law says that they didn't charge for parking before; but started charging recently after they fixed up the place, which is understandable since they need money for the upkeep. Luckily, we didn't have to pay for parking since my brother is a resident of Hawaii. You get an awesome view of the major parts of the island, but be careful as it can get very windy up here. A few times I had to really hold on tight to my phone just to get a nice picture because the wind was blowing so hard. My daughter loves to run around & she literally got knocked down by the wind. Luckily, she didn't get injured. She's very stubborn so when you tell her to stop, she refuses to stop. Not sure who she gets that from... We were only able to handle the strong wind for about 10 minutes before we decided it was too much for us. My eyes were watering like crazy so it wasn't a whole lot of fun, even if the views were absolutely gorgeous! read more
6 years ago
WOW! Is all I have to say about this place. The island of Oahu is so beautiful and geographically diverse. Luckily, I had an awesome family tour guide to take me to ALL parts of the island, so I got to see it all. We went to the Pali Lookout this day and we were literally in the clouds. It was so windy and so cold, it was crazy - but AMAZING to see. The views are awesome, and it is so different from other areas on Oahu. Beautiful cliffside views that you can actually drive up to and visit the place where the Battle of Nu'uanu took place Lot's of warriors were forced off the cliff during Kamehameha's attempt to unite all of the islands. This is REALLY a place you must visit - forget the tourist beaches and get off the beaten path for a while! read more
I've always called this place the Pali Lookout rather than the Nuuanu Pali State Park. I've been taking visiting friends here for decades. It's my number one choice because of its ease and price, meaning it's free! No admission charge. It's located on the way from town to Kailua and is a very simple and fast detour. After parking, it's only a couple minute walk to an amazing panoramic view that stretches from Kailua all the way North to Chinaman's hat and Beyond. Recently there has been a parking charge but it is still free for Hawaii state residents. I'm not sure how it is enforced but I leave my Hawaii driver's license partially obscured on the dashboard just in case. If you miss the detour driving over to Kailua, you can always catch it coming back from Kailua going back to town but it is a much further distance to drive as it wraps around much more to get to the lookout. It's open from dawn to dusk and strongly recommended. read more
Gosh, I haven't been here in over 20 years. The panoramic view is spectacular, from the lush greenery of the mountains to the sparkling blue ocean. I love taking in the fresh air from this place. It's rather cold up here, so bring a jacket. It's also very windy, so leave everything that can fly away in the car. Luckily, I had my rubber band with me to put up my tresses. There's ample parking spaces. Just be sure to pay the parking box. I saw someone going around and checking. After you pay for the parking, head past the Nu'uanu Pali Lookout sign to get to the platform to check out the sites. On the way back to the car, I saw a mother hen and her chicks. How cute! It was so cold that the chicks were hiding under her feathers. read more
Picture perfect panoramic view of the Windward side of Oahu. It's very windy here but so worth the trek to the lookout. Each time I venture here I see something new and exciting. For one the tourist is in awe of the view. Second I would venture on Old Pali road but this visit it was closed due to falling rocks. And lastly to know the history of this area the battles fought and legends. God creates such beauty and being able to experience it is amazing. I am always at peace here yes among the excitement of the people snapping selfies, group shot or GoPro vids. When you look at the mountains and how the mist of the rain beautifully blankets the slopes of the Koolau Range, the gust of the winds drastically changes someone's hairstyle and in the horizon you see Kaneohe and in the background Chinaman's Hat. You can't be more a peace with all the beauty that surrounds you. I usually take a deep breath and soak in all the richness of this place. It's kind of like being on top of the world. read more
The Pali Lookout is just a short drive east of Honolulu. The fee is $3 for cars in the moderately sized parking lot. The parking lot is also home to a lot of chickens, which proved amusing for small children. The Lookout has incredible views of the Koolau cliffs and lush Windward Coast. Do note that the winds are insane and very temperamental. When we arrived, the winds were strong and howling. But after a few minutes, the wind calmed down a little and the fog cleared for some really fantastic views. It's a perfect stop if you want to check out eastern Oahu or North Shore. After continuing through the Pali Tunnels, there's a decision point where you can go straight to Kailua (which is what we did) or turn left through Kaneohe along the coastline to head up to Haleiwa and Waimea Bay of North Shore. read more
6 years ago
Nice spot to visit! It does get a bit windy and cold if you're used to the Hawaiian weather. It gives a great view of Oahu that is unforgettable. Watch out for torrential rain from time to time though (no joke lol). Enjoy Nu'uanu Pali! 10/10 read more
9 years ago
Such a beautiful lookout. One of my friends had a layover to California from American Samoa so i took her site seeing. So we went here. She had a great time. The parking lot is a great size. It is metered parking though. It is a very short distance from the parking lot to the lookout which is great. I've noticed a lot of chickens though. It was cloudy, and vey breezy. The air felt fresh and cool which was nice. Sadly, after about 5 minutes it started to rain. But like i said, it was fast getting back to our car and we already had a chance to see it and take pictures. I highly recommend. read more
8 years ago
Beautiful views. Breathtakingly beautiful is more like it!!! Won't be disappointed that's for sure. Confortable shoes is a must and be careful with the rocks that fall. But they have sights on where the rocks fall. read more
Haven't been here since I was 18.. for me, every time I visit I have to come here.. there were some changes, but nothing to noticeable.. it's worth it every time, to come here. The view, is just worth it in my opinion.. if you ever decide to come here it's worth it.. read more
Home to the Nu'uanu Pali lookout, or just the Pali Lookout to locals, this place has a hauntingly windy feeling to it. Looking out over the 985-foot cliffs of the Koolau Mountain Range you'll often get blown back by the high winds whipping through this place. In 1795, Kamehameha I and his army invaded Oahu, arriving in an imposing fleet of war canoes at Waikiki Beach. The Oahu warriors were led by Kalanikupule, the alii nui (chief) of Maui and Oahu. Kamehameha's army marched to Nuuanu Valley to face Kalanikupule's troops. The ensuing battle was fierce, bloody and unrelenting. Gradually, Kamehameha's men gained an advantage, forcing Kalanikupule's forces to retreat further up the valley. The Oahuans attempted to make a final stand, but Kamehameha's army was too strong. Thousands of Kalanikupule's men were pursued and driven over the steep cliffs to their deaths.(Aloha-Hawaii.com). Get this: During construction, workers found an estimated 800 human skulls and other human bones at the foot of the cliffs--the century-old remains of Kalanikupule's slain warriors. No wonder it has a powerful aura around it. Truly not to be missed it's an awesome experience if you are on Oahu!! read more
I love coming here because I feel closer to my grandfather and my ancestors when I'm here. It's eerie because I can just feel them with me. This is a beautiful lookout where you can see several major landmarks on the windward side of the island. It's really windy at the top, so you might want to bring a windbreaker. I love that you can walk down the old road and explore a bit. There is so much history here and it's a significant place. I have been here several times during the day and at night. It's a very spiritual place. read more
Pali Lookout is one of my favorite places to stop and catch my thoughts. The weather can become VERY windy; you've been warned. The panoramic view of Kaneohe and Kailua is so beautiful on a clear day, but I wouldn't stop there. Most tourists come to the lookout, take in the sights for a few minutes, and then leave. If you walk along the Old Pali Highway, you'll get closer to nature and come across many beautiful vantage points. There are also short, quiet trails leading into the valleys along the highway. If you're going to take the time to come to Pali Lookout, appreciate the view and make it worth your while. Park entry used to be free, but they're now collecting a $3 parking fee for visitors. A small price to pay for the experience, and the money spent goes towards keeping Hawaii parks beautiful. Fee does not apply to locals who show state ID. read more
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More info about Nu'uanu Pali State Park
Nuuanu Pali Dr
Pali Hwy
Honolulu, HI 96817
Nuuanu
Directions
Hours
Outdoor Amenities
