Nu’uanu Pali State Wayside

One of the few breathtaking views I’ve found on the island that you don’t have to work for (in other words-​not a hike).
This lookout offers gorgeous views of the Windward side of Oahu. The catch? You can’t spend much time here because of the wind. You pay to park, walk up to the lookout, take a few photos and panos, and then run back to your car for fear of being blown away. The wind is truly powerful up here. I had my baby in the carrier and I genuinely felt like her hair was whipping around and hitting her in the face… and this is coming from a momma that takes her baby *everywhere.*
I’d still recommend bringing visitors to see the lookout since parking is only a few bucks anyway. I didn’t struggle to find parking but I went during the week so I’d recommend doing the same to avoid the congested parking lot I’ve noticed some of my fellow Unilocalers talking about.
P. S. For my fellow hikers — when looking at the lookout, the harder route to the falls is on your right. When I went it was closed down because of the landslide… not sure if it is open yet. Easier route to the falls is at the Kooalu Golf Course.

Breathtaking! Gorgeous! Windy! =)
This lookout is one you MUST do when you’re visiting the island or if you’re just driving around and have time to kill. The view will leave you with messy hair as it can get windy but the spectacular view is well worth it.
Parking can be a challenge so definitely come during the week and during non-​peak hours or early in the morning on the weekends. There is a small fee for parking and there are tourist buses that do come by so get ready to wait other than that, it’s free admission… this goes for the hike as well.
What do you have to lose? Minus your hat? Hehe. Stop by. Snap your panorama photos. Take your selies. Go on the hike. Chase the chickens. It’s a fun day waiting to happen…

Such beautiful and tranquility place to go!!!
I take my family there everytime they come visit. Specialy my grandbaby’s they love the chickens…

Another one of my ‘nostalgia’ revisits after almost 4 decades since my last visit!
First of all, look for the Nu’uanu Pali DRIVE exit — on the right BEFORE the exit to the Wayside Lookout for a splendid 2 kilometers or so cruise through a small 2-​lane, quiet and magical street that will end up at the drive entrance to the actual lookout.
Try to plan your visit for a minimally cloudy day. There will always be fair to very strong & gusty winds at the top — a light windbreaker should suffice for the average 30 – 45 minutes folks spend here.
On the left side of the main walkway you might notice a semi-​tame gaggle of colorful roosters and hens milling around in the foliage and perched in the trees. Occasionally, a few feral but docile cats can also be spotted in the same area.
Note: For private vehicles, with the exception of folks displaying handicap placards, parking is relatively inexpensive.
The views: Just go there!

If you want a fabulous view of the windward side of Oahu without having to endure a long hike, then this is the place to visit. You can get an awesome panoramic view, but don’t come here having the intention of getting yourself in the shot! Well, you could, but it’ll be a picture of you with your hair blowing in every direction, unless of course you don’t have hair or you have a buzz cut! It’s like being stuck in the middle of a wind tunnel!
If you want to hike, you have that option too. If you follow the path down to the right, it takes you down the mountain leading to two separate hikes, Likeke Falls or Maunawilli Falls. I attempted to try to find Likeke Falls, but after hiking for an hour and a half with no falls in sight, I ended up turning around only to run into a group that had been there before and knew where they were going. If you do attempt that hike, Bruce K.‘s directions are probably the most accurate up until the ladder until the Pali highway. Take someone who knows where they are going! Oh, and parking is free for locals, but otherwise there is a machine that takes credit cards as well as a lot attendant to help you. The lookout closes at 5pm I think, so if you do take the hikes, be mindful of the time.

The lookout can get windy but the view is very nice and relaxing. You should bring a jacket just in case.
There are indeed chickens around the area; however I have seen some dead chickens lying around. Remember that these are wild chickens and what happens in nature happens.

If you’re ever heading up or down the Pali, this is a great stop for a relaxing view of Kaneohe or the start of an amazing hike for hiking enthusiasts. If you’re walking towards the lookout, you’ll be surrounded by tourists, a few locals and chickens… the kind of chickens that climb trees to escape mongooses.
Locals and tourists can breathe in the fresh air — sometimes it’s windy, sometimes it’s not. The abundance of history and the view of different spots on the Windward side makes this an ideal lookout.
If you look to your left, you’ll see the chimney — the hike starts at the parking lot and you make your way up stopping at Pali Puka then to Pali Notches and then to K3. Definitely not for novice hikers.
If you are a novice, maybe it’s easier to walk more towards the right side and head down, making your way to Likeke Falls — crossing under the highway.
Either way, it’s a great place. At night — it can get a little creepier — lots of mana (energy) in the area and if you snap photos, you’ll see light orbs in your pics. Did that for a Ghost Tour — But I’ll save those stories on another review.

This is probably my 4^th time to be here and this place never ceases to amaze me. What is so special about this place? Well, let me tell you. Heading towards the place, it doesn’t seem too much to see. But when you actually stop, park your car and take your time to check out this place, you will not regret it. If you’re wondering what Nu’uanu Pali means, it means cool elevation cliffs. And this is the truth. The high elevation creates a cold wind. But not just a tiny wind blowing. It is extremely windy where you pretty much have to hold on to something so you don’t fly away. Well, that might be an exaggeration but that’s how I felt when I was there. Even though it was extremely windy, the views is what made it worthwhile. You can actually see the Oahu coast which we also toured. That’s another story.
One thing you have to remember though, if you’re not a Hawaiian residence, they’ll charge you for parking. But it’s worth going.

Short skirts are not recommended
January 4, 2016
Stopped by here at the Pali Lookout to view the beautiful panoramic scenery of the windward coast of Oahu. The Lookout is located right above the tunnels. Windward is in the northeast side and you can see Kaneohe, Kaneohe Bay and Kailua. Free admission but there is fee for parking. We came pretty late in the day so there was lots of parking and a police or security parked at the entrance of the parking lot. Tourist buses come by here as it is a popular tourist spot. Hiking trails were closed when we visited.
There is lots of greenery and mountains around. Spectacular and lovely picturesque overlook that goes beyond what your eyes can see. But, oh man, the wind! It was extremely windy. We came to view the scenic lookout around 7:30p and felt that strong trade winds that blows through the pass at the Nuuanu Pali Tunnels, which is what Pali Lookout is also well known for. I wouldn’t bring anything that will be easily blown away by the wind like hats or caps… or toupees? Bring some warm clothes or light jacket. To give you an idea on how windy it can get up here, on extra windy days, you can lean into the wind and let the gusts hold you up. Crazy winds! If the gusts blow you off your feet, you’re probably in for a hard landing!
There is a history to this place. The Nuuanu Pali was the setting for one of the most important and bloodiest battles in Hawaiian history in King Kamehameha’s campaign to conquer all of Hawaii.

We only went to the lookout on our way home from a day at the beach but it was well worth the detour! The views were GREAT!
Parking is a little hard to find at the lookout but be patience and someone will leave soon. It costs $ 3 for non residents.

Date: September 22, 2015
Location: Nu’uanu Pali State Wayside aka Pali Lookout
Reason to go: 20 years overdue visit
After visiting the Kaniakapupu Ruins… Mel automatically drove Sari and I to the Pali Lookout. Sari said she already visited the lookout. I said I haven’t been here in over 20 years. We made a stop at the Nu’uanu Pali State Wayside aka Pali Lookout. I didn’t see a parking attendant but I did notice that one of the parking meters was covered. Mel mentioned to me that parking is free for kama’aina. Good to know.
As soon as we got out of Mel’s vehicle… I noticed that there was a bride and groom getting a photo shot done near the parking lot. The bride had to hold her dress down since the wind was lifting it up.
I totally forgot on how windy it gets at the Pali Lookout. Standing near the railings and feeling the cool breeze. Looking downwards and watching the vehicles traveling on the road. Looking forward and noticing where land meets water. Could Chinaman’s Hat be seen from the Pali Lookout?
There’s a road going towards the right hand side with a sign DANGER WATCH FOR FALLING ROCKS. There’s also a little fence that says DO NOT ENTER. Somehow individuals like to ignore signs and continue to walk down the road to find out where it leads. I don’t want to be one of those individuals who continue to walk and get injured by a falling rock.
It’s always good as a kama’aina to play tourist and visit the Nu’uanu Pali State Wayside. Enjoy the breeze and admire the beautiful views of Windward Oahu.

«Pali» in Hawaiian means «cliff». This is a great place to take out of town visitors! «Pali Lookout» is where King Kamehameha fought the famous Battle of Nuuanu. He won by pushing his enemies over the cliff, united the Hawaiian Islands, and became King!
It’s a VERY breezy place, so hold on to your caps and visors!
Note: There are a lot of feral cats and chickens on the grounds. Watch out for falling rocks!
Parking used to be free, but now there’s a machine that collects money. I just ran in and ran out so it was free for me! Hawaii residents don’t have to pay for parking. Just show your ID to the attendant if there is one.
Views of the windward side of the island are amazing! Look for the Kaneohe Marine Corps Air Base and Hawaii Pacific University. This is a MUST SEE attraction!

The Good:
+ breathtaking view!
+ great scenic point, look up the history of the Pali road as well
The Not So Good:
— can get really crowded really fast
— parking is a challenge
— parking is $ 3 regardless of duration
— can be windy from the North
Bottom Line: Good for a photo op, but really dependent on how crowded it is.
PROTIP: There are multiple turnouts up and down to the wayside where you can stop for free and get a similar view.

I was on my 2 week sabbatical from my regular life and found myself driving out to Kaneohe on the Pali Hwy. I decided to stop at the lookout as a good way to view where I’d be living for the next two weeks. I want to say that it has been over 5 years since I’ve been and that the charge for parking is new, but I could be wrong. I stood there for almost 30 minutes taking in the view. I love the wind! Makes my hair look extra cool! LOL!
Sure, you have to pay for parking… helps with the maintenance and upkeep. Luckily I have a Hawaii ID, so I got the kamaaina rate… FREE! I suggest people make friends here and come with locals so you don’t have to pay. Definitely worth checking out.

Holy schnikes it’s windy here. Be careful of wearing a loose tank top as it will be filled with wind and make you look fat in all photos, or reveal a little nubbin’ more than desired. Still a must-​stop if you’re passing through for the impressive view of the windward side.
What’s that?
THE WINDWARD SIDE!
WHAT???
THE WINDWARD SIIIIIIDE!!!

Beautiful views!
Random island cats and island chickens running around.
Be sure to read about the history of this particular lookout. There is a plaque with an explanation or at least google it to find out about the battle.

I swung by on an incredibly rainy and windy day, and I must say, I still enjoyed it! Loved to have ventured around and even go on a quick hike to Likeike Falls, which was the initial plan, but I just was not havin’ that weather.
Hard to capture in photos but when the clouds drifted by, you could see pockets of views of the east side of the island, it was gorgeous! The weather made for some beautiful dimensional photography, snapped a few shots with my phone before I got paranoid it’d get water damage.
Getting here alone is a very scenic drive, probably my favorite part of visiting this lookout. You can learn a few things from the signs posted at the lookout too, all pretty interesting!
Wish I had time to revisit on a nicer day.

Oh my word! This is an incredible stop if you’re visiting or not familiar with the area. Just note that there’s not a ton to do here, so while I had a 5 star (10 min) experience, it’s not a place where you can spend a ton of time or do too much. It’s mostly a lookout point with fabulous views and a really interesting history.
IMPORTANT: Read the signs posted! They’re educational and they’re fascinating. It’ll change how you look at the view and what you know of Hawaiian history.
Parking isn’t free but it’s a state park! Someone’s got to maintain it. In fact, if you’re local, you’re exempt from paying. So my friend who took me got us in free. WHEE!
Having not been in Honolulu long, I was just passing through and a friend offered to take me on a driving tour of the city. She remembered Nuuanu Pali and mentioned to me that she hadn’t been there in years. So it was fun to go and re-​experience that with her and see the sights. She showed me different parts of the island and later we drove down to the beaches we could previously see far off in the distance. It was fun to get a look from way up there first!
I’d also advise people NOT to go hiking in this area. I heard (and read) some horror stories about tourists getting excited to see steep ledges and then falling and getting really badly hurt. We did see some people climbing around a bit and they didn’t look prepared or experienced. If you have kids, don’t let them wander!
Great for photo ops and postcard views.

After accomplishing the hike we came here to rest for a bit and enjoy the view. My cousin gave us a quick history info about there. Good stuff to think and reflect about.
Feels:
View is great as usual but it is limited since you don’t have as much access and views when you’re hiking to the puka.
Parking:
parking is private or parking on the side. Coming here on a Saturday afternoon, we didn’t have problems with parking.
Overall
Not an overfilled tourist area, but there are signs and context placements if you are interested in learning about the history of this place.
Great place to check out with an awesome view. For a greater, scenic, and fitted challenge take the poly puka hike but beware! It is quite challenging.

Visited the Pali Lookout for the first time ever last month. I have gone through Pali Highway many times, but didn’t realize there was such a spot. I did recall a lookout area to the side of the road on the highway that I thought was this place.
Turns out this place is much closer to town. There is a sign to the right guiding you to the lookout shortly after you pass Nuuanu. You exit by taking an upward ramp to the lookout.
Once there, the lookout has a tours and cars section for parking. As mentioned in many previous reviews, there is a $ 3 parking fee. However, this fee is waived for Hawaii residents. Lucky you live Hawaii! Simply show the parking attendant your Hawaii driver’s license and you are good to go.
This is not a spot that you stay very long at. I think most folks would spend 30 minutes at most here because it is incredibly windy. Like tropical storm/​hurricane type winds. Particularly bad when you reach the balcony of the lookout. Leave anything that can be blown away in your car rather than risk losing it at the lookout. Hats particularly are vulnerable. Best to wear a hoodie here instead.
The views here however are quite beautiful. You get a nice view of Windward Oahu and the Ko’olau Mountains without having to trek over to that side of the island. Even though it is blustery here, miraculously your pictures come out great. That is as long as you don’t fumble your camera. Keep a good grip on it!
The Pali Lookout is a great attraction worth visiting when on Oahu. However, be prepared for the elements before coming here.