Nu'uanu Pali is one of the most important historical sites in Hawai'i. Pali is the Hawaiian word for cliff, and the cliffs here rise around 305 metres (1000 ft) above sea level. The lookout is on the site where the army of King Kamehameha won the battle which made him sovereign of all the islands of Hawai'i in May 1795. Hundreds of soldiers in the opposing army were forced over the cliff. The painting on the plaque puts the final battle just where the photo of the sharp peak was taken. It is probably quite accurate as this is the flattest area between steep ridges. The lookout is about 10 minutes drive out of Honolulu (except at peak hours) along the Pali highway. This road goes on through tunnels to the Windward (east )side towns. You get great views from the lookout; here are just two. The first is looking along the peninsula toward Kaneohe Marine Airbase (you can just see it on the original image, but not quite on this smaller one). The second is looking over Kaneohe town and bay. The island is Coconut Island. It is a marine science station of the University of Hawaii, but some of the Oldies might recognize it from the opening scenes of "Gilligan's Island". It was cloudy and drizzling rain when we were at the Pali, so it is another of the places in Oahu that this small bear is not finished with.
Labels: Hawaii, history
# posted by Bart Bear @ 11:57 am
