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: