Pali Notches (GoPro POV)

7/22/10: These notches had significant importance during the Battle of Nu'uanu. In an attempt to slow down King Kamehameha's army from advancing up Nu'uanu Valley, King Kalanikupule, chief of O'ahu prior to Kamehameha's invasion of the island to unify all the Hawaiian islands under one rule, sent his defenders up the pali cliffs overlooking Nu'uanu Valley to carve two notches (and possibly a 3rd when we saw a small "dent" on the ridge beyond the two notches, indicating a 3rd notch was under construction.) to install two cannons, traded with the western people. Kamehameha sent his best warriors up to the pali to sack the cannon crew. Without the artillery providing cover for the defenders, the path was wide open for Kamehameha's forces to drive them ever so closer to the pali cliffs in what is now known as the Pali Lookout. Cornered with no escape, the defenders either opted for capture as prisoners or fell to their deaths, 1,000ft below! Kalanikupule was captured and sacrified. It was said when the Old Pali Road was constructed, they discovered 800 skulls at the bottom of the cliffs.

We were not interested in finding any skulls today, but instead, we were eager to tackle a short but dangerous hike up the ridge to the Pali Notches. While tourists below battle for the best photo ops, we battled our own wits and fear as this hike could be very well the most dangerous short hike on the island. As we approached the notches, we discovered we were jumping into them, out of all things. Are we DREAMING? Or are we just plain nuts? I know for one thing, we did not want to add 3 more skulls to the 800 already below!

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Pali Lookout
• Pali Notches
• Pali Puka
• Nuuanu
• Nu'uanu Valley
• Oahu
• Hawaii

[mishiel20]

could u please tell me how to get there?

[dgcpinoy]

@mishiel20 When you are walking towards the Pali Lookout from the parking lot, keep an eye out for a dirt trail on the right side heading up into the forest. The trail will then hug the cliffs on the way towards the two notches. Time from the lookout to the notches is about 30 minutes.

Safe and happy trails!

[irielystix808]

Hey thats me =D!! Love the vid bro! -Spider Pali Man

[dgcpinoy]

@irielystix808 I don't know how you got down that second notch brah, fukin nutz! You sure are the Spider Pali Man! =)

[dgcpinoy]

@irielystix808 or you are just in top "notch" shape. Hahaha I fail!

[aznoobyboy]

i wonder hwo they even placed those cannons up there

[dgcpinoy]

@aznoobyboy they probably had pulleys and ropes to hoist um up.

[mishiel20]

hey thank you for responding...umm is it hard going up or coming back ? 

[hobotechMASTER]

last 2 times i tried to go it was so windy! good shit man. i wanted to see that view

[MaybeNelson]

I didn't know they had guns. Great video!

[cowheadmoomoo]

how do you even get up there?

[harshba]

You guys are crazy! The Go Pro video is beautiful, but you had me filling my pants with some of those climbing antics! I thought the Grand Canyon was fear inducing, but this was just nuts. Wow!

[dbondocoy]

went there yesterday... there is a rope now which made it a lot easier

[dbondocoy]

went there yesterday, there is a rope now which made it a lot easier

[ca91342]

Did you reach the iron chain? The ... very ... rusty ... iron chain?