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Every time I visit Oahu, I must go to the cliffs at Nu’uanu Pali Lookout. So I’ve been here many time and the coastline views are amazing!
And don’t let the windy weather there stop you. Well, windy is a bit of an understatement, as you might lose your hat.
We found a historic and mysterious place in Hawaii with stunning views. I’ll tell you about our experience, what to know and expect, plus share some personal photos.
Getting There
The lookout is a short drive from downtown Honolulu. Speaking of the drive, it’s one of the most beautiful drives I’ve ever seen.
From Waikiki, we take the H-1 to the Pali Highway. On the way to the lookout, you’ll see lush wild forest with towering trees. Stunning!
Just follow the road signs to get to the lookout. Exit before the Pali Highway tunnels. And don’t drive too fast because the turn-off comes quickly.
Visiting Nu’uanu Pali Lookout
The Pali Lookout is open every day from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. There is no charge to visit, but non-residents must pay to park.
They have a small parking area close to the scenic point. I’ve visited this place many times and have always found a spot.
After parking your car, you’ll need to pay at the kiosk. It’s a few dollars per vehicle, and more for commercial ones.
Lock Your Vehicle
You might notice signs posted around the area warn people of break-ins. Nothing has ever happened to us while visiting.
But you’ll want to lock your car, even in broad daylight. Tourists are targets.
On our most recent trip, a man driving a tour van waited in the parking lot. His tour group walked to the Pali Lookout to enjoy the views.
“I stand here to ward off break-ins,” he said. “Yeah, one time when we were here, all the cars in the parking lot got broken in within 10 minutes.”
Everyone’s eyes grew large, but he assured us that he’d stand guard.
“Don’t worry. They won’t break in while I’m here,” the driver said.
Walk to the Cliffs
It’s a short walk from the parking lot to the lookout. You’ll see where the paved path goes, and there’s no need to walk off it.
Every time I’ve visited this place, it has rained off and on. I wore a sunhat to shield myself from the rain. Hey… it worked just as well!
The winds will really pick up and howl once you get closer to the cliffs. So, hold on to anything that can fly away.
They nearly blew me away. If it weren’t for my hat being strapped to my head, it would have taken flight to the coastline.
Once you approach the cliffs, you’ll find an upper and lower level where you can view. Wherever you go, I’d stay within the rails.
Guess what? A man climbed outside of them. The rails and there for a reason—your safety.
Beautiful Coastline Views
You’ll be standing on the 2,000-foot-high cliffs, which are the Ko’olau Range. These were formed 2 million years ago when a landslide caused half of the Ko’olau volcano to fall into the sea.
Looking over the cliffs, you’ll see such beautiful views. It’s a historic place to visit—and I find it mysterious in a way.
Centuries ago, in the Battle of Nu’uanu, many soldiers lost their lives off these cliffs. Ultimately, King Kamehameha won the battle and united the people of Oahu.
I thought about what it must have been like to be there in those times. As the gray clouds surrounded me, I pictured the battle.
The dark mountains and towering cliffs painted a dramatic scene, and trees danced in the wind. Man vs man. Man vs nature.
The winds were so strong they nearly knocked my phone out of my hand as I tried to take pictures. Wow!
Historic Cultural Site
After looking at the view from the top and bottom levels, we saw the opening to the mountain. There was a sign describing Pali Road and how it went from a trail to a highway.
We saw a paved trail with overgrowth, but the gate was pulled closed. Also, there was a sign warning of falling rocks.
After exploring, we headed back. Along the trail, you might see the Hawaiian cultural site sign telling you to show respect.
We stopped at the Halealoha Haleamau. This is the memorial to honor Hawaiian warrior women who fought and died in the battle of 1795.
Their bones were stolen in 1894 and taken to Cambridge University in England. Once they were returned, they were reburied at this site.
An orange cat sat in the cultural site, snuggled up against the rocks. Well, the cat can do this, but not any people.
Remember to leave no trace. Show respect by staying off the rocks and not bothering anything.
Also, you’ll want to stay on the trails. We want to preserve the beauty, so they keep allowing us visitors to come.
Hiking Trail
There’s also an unmarked hiking trail in the area. One of the locals told me about the Pali Puka, and you won’t see any signs about it in the area.
It’s less than a mile, so it’s short. However, it’s rigorous and very risky.
I went to look at it one day and quickly decided it’s not for me! However, if you want to check it out, you can find information about it online, as many others have hiked it.
Travel Notes
The lookout is a wonderful place to take pictures. By the way, I wore my button-up shirt and handmade shorts on my last visit to the cliffs.
Whatever you wear, it’s very windy. Besides a potential wardrobe malfunction, you’ll want to stay safe, as people have fallen off the cliffs.
That’s why I stress staying on the paved paths and within the rails. You don’t want to become another statistic.
You might notice chickens and cats hanging out in the parking lot. One time when I visited, bowls of cat food dotted the area.
Before leaving, you might want to check for cats sitting under your vehicle. They won’t move unless you shoo them away.
I guess they’re so used to all the friendly people!
Final Thoughts
Whenever I visit Oahu, I love stopping at the Nu’uanu Pali Lookout to see the views. It’s one of the most amazing places on the island.
Hopefully, you’ll have a chance to take the beautiful drive and see for yourself. You’ll have to tell me what you thought about it.
More Travel Adventures
I have more related posts on my blog. You might want to check them out.
- Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden is a beautiful refuge in the area where you can see tropical plants. You might see it from the cliffs.
- Byodo-In Temple is a beautiful place nearby, in the Valley of the Temples.
- The Polynesian Cultural Center is also on this side. You can learn about different Hawaiian cultures here.
- For more places outside of Honolulu, see my post on Oahu.
- I also have a post on things to do in Honolulu.
- If you’re staying around Waikiki, I have a post on what to do there.
I’d love to hear about your travel adventures!
Originally published: December 4, 2024
