Nuuanu Pali Lookout

Nuuanu Pali Lookout at 61-1000 Nuuanu Pali Drive in Nuuanu, Honolulu, Hawaii, is a state wayside perched at the top of the Koolau Mountains, overlooking the windward side of Oahu. From the railing, visitors look down a sheer green cliff face to Kaneohe and Kailua, with the Pacific and Mokoli'i Island beyond. The lookout sits on the Pali Highway above the site of the 1795 Battle of Nuuanu, where Kamehameha I's forces drove opposing warriors over the cliff during his campaign to unify the islands. Interpretive signs explain the history. Winds funnel through the pass with remarkable strength, and the gusts at the railing can be strong enough to push visitors, so hats and loose items need securing. The lookout also offers a short stretch of the old Pali road that leads into the forest. Most visits last 30 to 45 minutes. The best photo angle is straight from the railing across the windward coastline, and morning gives clearer views, since clouds often gather over the ridge later in the day. Rain and mist can hide the view altogether. Crowds come in waves with tour buses, mostly between mid-morning and early afternoon. Entry is free, though non-residents pay a parking fee collected by the State at the lot. There is no bus service to the top, so access is by car or rideshare, about 25 minutes from Waikiki. Visitors should keep valuables out of parked cars, since break-ins have occurred at scenic lookouts on Oahu.