Kamehameha the Great and the Battle of Nuʻuanu (Pali Lookout)

Kamehameha I united the Hawaiian Islands into one kingdom. His decisive victory came in May 1795 at the Battle of Nuʻuanu on Oʻahu, where his army drove the Oʻahu forces up Nuʻuanu Valley to the cliffs; hundreds of warriors went over the edge. You can stand at that spot today at the Nuʻuanu Pali Lookout. Kauaʻi joined the kingdom peacefully in 1810.

• The battle: Kamehameha's army, estimated at 10,000 or more, pushed Kalanikūpule's forces from the Punchbowl area up Nuʻuanu Valley. Trapped at the 1,000-foot cliffs, more than 700 warriors leapt or were pushed off. About 800 skulls were found below in 1898 during road building.
• Unification: after Nuʻuanu, Kamehameha ruled every island except Kauaʻi and Niʻihau; King Kaumualiʻi of Kauaʻi accepted his rule in 1810.
• Visit: Nuʻuanu Pali Lookout (Pali Highway, Route 61) has sweeping Windward views and markers about the battle. It's very windy; non-residents pay a small parking fee.
• Also see: the gilded King Kamehameha statue in front of Aliʻiōlani Hale in downtown Honolulu (draped with lei every June 11) and the original statue in Kapaʻau, North Kohala, near his birthplace.
• Kamehameha founded the dynasty that ruled until 1872; June 11 is King Kamehameha Day, a state holiday.

Source: Wikipedia: Battle of Nuʻuanu

Last checked Nov. 1, 2026. Hours, fees and rules can change, so confirm with the official source before you go.