Scenic Locations Often Share Great Stories

It’s said that behind almost every great location is a great story. Fortunately for visitors and residents, Hawaiʻi is home to some of Earth’s greatest locations, which means many of its most scenic spots are also chock-full of Hawaiian tales and legends of spiritual beings or individuals who made their mark there. You’ll find that many of these stories also cultivate a connection to the Native Hawaiian culture and people, inspiring a deep love and respect for the Islands. Consider the legends below when you visit these scenic locations:
 
ʻAlekoko “Menehune” Fishpond (Kauaʻi) – Legend has it that Hawaiʻi’s mythical Menehune – a lineage of little people who performed legendary engineering feats – built this fishpond in a single night more than a thousand years ago. Forming a line stretching to the village of Makaweli located 25 miles away, it is believed Menehune passed large stones hand-to-hand to build the pond, which was used by the ancient Hawaiians to cultivate and catch fish.
 
Nuʻuanu Pali Lookout (Oʻahu) – Now world-renowned for its strong, howling winds and panoramic views of the majestic Koʻolau mountain range and verdant Windward Coast, the Nuʻuanu Pali Lookout is also the site of the brutal Battle of Nuʻuanu. The 1795 conflict ended with the future King Kamehameha I and his warriors defeating armies of the island of Oʻahu in his quest to unify the Hawaiian Islands under one rule.
 
ʻĪao Valley State Park (Māui) – The 1,200-foot lava remnant ʻĪao Needle is one of Māui’s most recognized natural landmarks and a great spot for easy hiking and sightseeing. It, too, was the site of a major battle in Kamehameha I’s pursuit to unite the Hawaiian Islands under his rule – the 1790 Battle of Kepaniwai, where the future king and his army defeated forces of the island of Māui.
 
Pololū Valley Lookout (island of Hawaiʻi) –  Continue driving north on the island’s Route 19 and 270 – beyond where the black lava landscapes of the Kohala Coast give way to the emerald pastures of North Kohala – and you’ll be rewarded with the unforgettable, end-of-journey view from the Pololū Valley Overlook. The lookout offers inspiring vistas of verdant Pololū Valley, the island’s rugged northeastern coastline, offshore islets and a black sand beach where valley meets sea.

Reforestation image in Hawaii

Statewide Story Ideas