Hawaii

A Break From The Norm… Nu’uanu Pali

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A small break from my normal filth, grime and beautiful abandonment to bring you the beauty that is Hawai’i 🙂 Last week I had the pleasure of enjoying the trade winds that sweep through the valleys and the warm ocean waters that surround the island of O’ahu. I had the best time! So don’t mind me as I make a few posts sharing some amazing photos from this wonderful reprieve of our everyday life. Have a great weekend everyone!!

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Breathtakingly beautiful is the view from Nu’uanu Pali. Sadly the history of this landmark is not as beautiful. Truth be told, it was very tragic, violent and historic. Pali Lookout or “The Pali” as the locals call it is located in Nu’uanu Pali State Park. The Pali overlooks the 985-foot cliffs of the majestic Ko’olau Mountain Range. The trade winds blow through the valley between the high mountains on either side, forming a strong wind tunnel of sorts. This wind tunnel makes for extremely windy conditions up top. It is said that on extra windy days, you can even lean into the wind and let the gusts hold you up.

The Nu’uanu Pali was the setting for one of the most significant battles in Hawaiian history. In 1795 King Kamehameha I, led his forces in the legendary Battle of Nu’uanu near the scenic cliffs of the Nu’uanu Pali Lookout. The King and his army invaded Oahu, arriving in an imposing fleet of war canoes at Waikiki Beach. The Oahu warriors were led by Kalanikupule, the ali’i nui of Maui and Oahu. This momentous battle resulted in the conquering of Oahu and the eventual unification of the Hawaiian Islands under one rule in 1810.

Kamehameha’s army marched to Nu’uanu Valley to face Kalanikupule’s troops. The ensuing battle was fierce, bloody and unrelenting. Gradually, Kamehameha’s men gained an advantage, forcing Kalanikupule’s forces to retreat further up the valley. The O’ahu Warriors attempted to make a final stand, but Kamehameha’s army was too strong. Thousands of Kalanikupule’s men were pursued and driven over the steep cliffs to their deaths. It’s said that the victory was so complete that not a single Oahu warrior that got into the upper part of the valley escaped alive.

In 1897 an engineering firm was hired to build what is now the Old Pali Road, a winding road used to carry traffic across the mountains. During construction, workers found an estimated 800 human skulls and other human bones at the foot of the cliffs—the century-old remains of Kalanikupule’s slain warriors.

Note: Pali means cliffs
Ali’i means chief

Old Hawaiian Railway

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Hawaiian Railway…abandoned in 1970

Oahu Railway – After the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, the Oahu Railway became a major player in wartime transportation. The railroad carried out its regular freight operations as well as handling massive amounts of military-related traffic. The Oahu Railway became the chief transporter of civilian base workers, sailors, soldiers, airmen and marines…both from Honolulu to their bases, or from those bases back to Honolulu for coveted R&R. In 1944 and 1945 the Oahu Railway carried nearly two million riders.

The company plugged along for the remainder of 1945 and into 1946 transporting servicemen. Nevertheless, passenger traffic and gross revenues dropped more than fifty percent. The railroad’s fate was sealed by the 1946 Aleutian Islands earthquake and the resulting 55ft tsunami that struck on April 1, 1946. Although the Oahu Railway rebuilt, on December 31, 1947, a final excursion departed from Kahuku through 71.4 miles of the countryside back to the Honolulu station. The Oahu Railway was finished after 85 years. The Oahu Railway replaced its railroad with a truck transport operation.

Convalescent Home | Hawai’i

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O’ahu, my home away from home…unfortunately I didn’t get a chance to visit any family on this trip, because I literally just flew in/out for a tattoo 🙂

Although, not wanting to waste any precious time, I calculated exactly how many hours I had of daylight to explore, during my 3 days on the island. I landed at around noon and literally hit the ground running. I got my rental car and headed out on my first excursion – clear on the other side of the island! My first stop was an abandoned convalescent home, then an abandoned house and whatever other abandoned structures I could find along the way.

I first ran across these beautiful ruins, many years ago. Unfortunately all of my photographs were lost when my external hard drive took a sh*t and died on me 😦
So naturally, it was a must, that I come back and re-shoot this decaying beauty.