The Nuʻuanu Pali Lookout offers a breathtaking overview of the city and the surrounding landscapes, making it a must-visit destination in Oʻahu. When we arrived, a light rain added an ethereal touch to the already stunning view, with mist rolling over the cliffs and enhancing the lush greenery below. Although parking is available, spaces are limited, so arriving early is recommended. Adding a touch of charm to the experience, chickens freely roam the parking lot, seemingly unbothered by the bustling cars around them. Beyond its beauty, the Nuʻuanu Pali Lookout is steeped in history and culture. This location was the site of the famous Battle of Nuʻuanu in 1795, where King Kamehameha I achieved a decisive victory, uniting the Hawaiian Islands under one rule. The name “Pali” means “cliff” in Hawaiian, and the sheer drop at the lookout serves as a striking reminder of the island’s rugged natural beauty. The area also holds cultural significance for Native Hawaiians, symbolizing both triumph and the forces of nature that have shaped the islands for centuries. Nuʻuanu Pali Lookout is also rich in local legends and myths, deeply intertwined with Hawaiian culture. One prominent legend is that of the **Moʻo Wāhine**, a lizard goddess who appears as a beautiful woman, luring men to their demise from the cliffs. Another tale involves **night marchers**, spirits of ancient warriors said to march along the Pali, accompanied by the sounds of drums and conch shells. Encountering them is considered dangerous, and locals advise laying low to avoid their gaze. For those interested in those legends the following site provides more information Nu’uanu Pali Lookout – The Sacred Cliff of Gods and Warriors in Oahu, Hawaii – Residual Whispers

This lookout is located in the middle of Oahu island, along the Pali hwy connecting Honolulu with eastern and further northern shore. It's set in the central mountains, so beware the weather can change quickly due to strong winds which happened to us. The site is famous for the 1795 Kamehameha historic battle in order to unite all the islands under his rule. Defenders were trapped here and had fallen from the cliffs during the battle. Kamehameha won and became the first king. Views are average, oriented towards east of Oahu. Much better are the Tantalus views and they're free. 7$ parking fee is a total rip off for someone staying there 15-30 min.

We discovered this lookout while looking for things to do. You might find a pull off along the road to park but there is parking at the entrance. It costs $7 to park (machine was broke so we had to pay thru the phone. And when we were there, there is a guy there overseeing things (I read where some didn't pay). Be prepared. When we went, it was seriously windy. Temps drop 10+ degrees too. Its a short walk to the top. Those with disabilities can get up there but the wind is strong. After taking pics from the top, we went down to the lower lever. When I started around the lower level, the wind almost lifted me up. I definitely had a struggle fighting those winds. I dont know if its this windy all the time, but it sure was when we were there

I first saw this on a guided tour which included three days on each of four islands. A lot of the regular tourists don't get to see this or even know about it. I returned to Oahu in December of 2023 and brought my sister this time. It was still as gorgeous as I remembered. You are doing yourself a diservice if you visit Oahu and don't check out this piece of heaven.

Visited here as part of a cruise ship excursion. Very windy - be prepared. The views are beautiful and the historical significance of this overlook is not to be overlooked. The walk up to the overlook was a little uphill so that might be something some people might to know ahead of time.

We came here after reading reviews which said 2-3 hours. Thought I’m a quick hiker we will be done in 1 hours. However……. Ankle deep mud and water. Slippy and definitely not suitable for my flip flops. Some great views along the way but I wouldn’t do it again when it’s muddy and wet. We looked at the usual view points and went to the reservoir lookout too. We had our lunch up there too. Ahem 6 hours later we were back in the car.

My wife and I along with another couple recently visited Honolulu on a cruise vacation. While there, we rented a car and drove around the island. We visited the Nu’uanu Pali Lookout. The views are amazing. We got some outstanding photos of the area below. It was quite windy and the weather was a bit overcast, but it didn’t detract from the great views. This place should be a definite destination and we would recommend it highly.

Hidden Gem for Spectacular Waikiki Pics, this place was our 1st stop on the Photo tour of Oahu and it didn't disappoint. Bit of a winding drive but well worth it. Recommend its on everyones To Do list