April 26, 2014 Ho`omana`o `Ana o Ke Kaua Lelea`anae (Commemoration of the Battle of Nu`uanu)

In 1795 Kamehameha battled with Kalanikūpule for control of O`ahu.  The battle for O`ahu culminated in Nu`uanu Valley and what is today called the Pali Lookout.

I woke up at 3:30 am and drove up to the Nu`uanu Pali Lookout for Ho`omana`o `Ana o Ke Kaua Lelea`anae,the Commemoration of the Battle of Nu`uanu.  I had only recently realized that the Nu`uanu Pali Lookout opens at 4:00 am.  I arrived just before 4 am.  It was dark, empty, wet, and very windy.

By around 5:00 am the parking lot was packed.  The procession of a few dozen people made it's way from the parking lot to the lookout.

There were oli, hula, and ho`okupu.  Sam Ka'ai also offered a brief history of the Battle of Nu`uanu.

Following the Commemoration, some of the organizers, Nā Papa Kānaka o Pu`ukoholā , paused to have their picture taken.

Offerings were made.

It was a windy and rainy morning.  I felt for the young men who endured the cold in only their malo.

The Pali looked majestic bathed in clouds (looking towards Lanihuli).

After most of the participants had dissipated I stayed to watch the sunrise.

Rest of the pics here:

April 4 & 5, 2014 Halema`uma`u Crater

My brother Robert bought a house in Kea`au so my brother, Kai, my father, Scott, and I headed up to the Big Island to help out around his property the first weekend in April.  We didn't do much sight seeing, but being so close to Volcano National Park I was able to check out Halema`uma`u Crater a couple of nights.  Really love this place.

Rest of the pics here: