Nu?uanu Pali is a section of the windward cliff (pali in Hawaiian) of the Ko?olau mountain located at the head of Nu?uanu Valley on the island of O?ahu. It has a panoramic view of the windward (northeast) coast of O?ahu. The Pali Highway (Hawaii State Highway 61) connecting Kailua/K?ne?ohe with downtown Honolulu runs through the Nu?uanu Pali Tunnels bored into the cliffside.
The area is also the location of the Nu?uanu Freshwater Fish Refuge and the Nu?uanu Reservoir in the jurisdiction of the Hawai?i Department of Land and Natural Resources.
The Nu?uanu Pali State Wayside is a lookout above the tunnels where there is a panoramic view of the O?ahu's windward side with views of K?ne?ohe, K?ne?ohe Bay, and Kailua. It is also well known for strong trade winds that blow through the pass (now bypassed by the Nu?uanu Pali Tunnels). The Nu?uanu Pali Tunnels were built in 1958. Before this road opened, people would use the what is now known as the Old Pali Road. The Old Pali Route is now a popular hiking route.
Video Nu?uanu Pali
History
The Nu?uanu Pali has been a vital pass from ancient times to the present because it is a low, traversable section of the Ko?olau mountain range that connects the leeward side of the mountains, Honolulu to the windward side, Kailua and K?ne?ohe. The route drew settlers who formed villages in the area and populated Nu?uanu Valley for a thousand years.
The Nu?uanu Pali was the site of the Battle of Nu?uanu, one of the bloodiest battles in Hawaiian history, in which Kamehameha I conquered the island of O?ahu, bringing it under his rule. In 1795 Kamehameha I sailed from his home island of Hawai?i with an army of 10,000 warriors, including a handful of non-Hawaiian foreigners. After conquering the islands of Maui and Moloka?i, he moved on to O?ahu. The pivotal battle for the island occurred in Nu?uanu Valley, where the defenders of O?ahu, led by Kalanik?pule, were driven back up into the valley where they were trapped above the cliff. Kamehameha?s warriors forced Maui Chief Kalanikupule's men to their deaths off of the cliff. Roughly 400 warriors died in this battle. After this battle, Kapanui recited a Hawaiian chant as a sign of respect to those who have died there.
In 1845 the first road was built over the Nu?uanu Pali, to connect Windward O?ahu with Honolulu. In 1898, as this road was developed into a highway, workers found 800 human skulls--believed to be the remains of the warriors who fell to their deaths from the cliff above. This road was later replaced by the Pali Highway and the Nu?uanu Pali Tunnels in 1959, which is the route used today.
The now extinct bird, the O?ahu nukupu?u, was last collected in this valley.
There is also a legend that takes place around the Nu?uanu Pali. This is The Ghost Dog Legend. This legend states that when people came across this dog on the Pali, they had to turn back around or else they would not make it up the steep mountain. Because of these events, it is said that coming across this dog would lead to kaupe, meaning disaster.
Maps Nu?uanu Pali
Nu?uanu Reservoir
The Nu?uanu Reservoir is located up the Nu?uanu Pali heading towards Kailua, in the valley jungle. This small body of water holds various species of catfish, and peacock bass. In efforts towards preserving the reservoir, appointments must be made half a year prior to the visiting date. This ensures a controlled number of residents that fish out of the waters, preventing overfishing. A fresh water game fishing license and an entry fishing card are required to fish there. There is a two fish per license limit, and any catfish that is 16 inches or larger must be kept.
Nu?uanu Trail
The trail to Nu?uanu began at Kalanikahua and led north of Kaumakapili Church to below the stream which flowed out of Kamanuwai pond. There the trail turned slightly to the right, went along the edge of the pond, and down into the water. Then, coming up on the bank onto Waiakemi, it led on to Waakekupua, along the bank of the taro patches, to the Pauoa stream, up to Pualoalo, and on to the gap at Nu?uanu Pali.
Superstition
Two large stones near the back of Nu?uanu Valley, Hapu?u and Ka-lae-hau-ola, were said to represent a pair of goddesses who were guardians of the passage down the pali. Travellers would leave offerings of flowers or kapa (bark cloth) to ensure a safe trip, and parents buried the umbilical cords of newborns under the stones as a protection against evil.
It is said there is a mo?o wahine (lizard woman) who lingers around the pass. A mo?o wahine is mythical creature who takes the form of a beautiful woman and leads male travelers to their deaths off the cliff. She is similar to a western poltergeist or mermaid.
Hawaiian folklore holds that people should never carry pork over Nu?uanu Pali, especially at night. Pele (a more powerful and influential goddess than the mo?o wahine) was said to be responsible for this to prevent the passage of pork over the Pali. It was said Pele, the volcano goddess, was responsible for preventing passage due to her contest with Kamapua'a, a half human, half hog god, and would not allow him (in the form of pork) to trespass on her side of the island.
Cultural references
"Pali Gap" (Nu'uanu Pali into English) is the title of a track from the posthumous 1971 album Rainbow Bridge by the guitarist Jimi Hendrix.
'The Pali', together with surrounding areas such as Tantalus Crater, is the main setting in the novel Micro by Michael Crichton and Richard Preston.
The 2015 movie Pali Road is named for the old road over the Pali, although most of the action takes place elsewhere on Oahu.
Places of interest
- Queen Emma's summer palace
- The summer palace of Kamehameha III
- Pali Highway
- Pali tunnels
Photos
See also
- National Landmark of Soaring
References
External links
- Nu'uanu Pali State Wayside - official site
Source of article : Wikipedia
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