		Pali Daimond Head Iolani Palace The Royal Mausoleum Bishop Muesum Natatorium War Memorial Polynesian Culturual Center Arizona Memorial Sea Life Park Hawaii National Cemeteary of The Pacific PALI TOURISTS WHO COME TO OAHU USUALLY SEE AT LEAST something of the verdant Nu`uanu Valley which reaches from Honolulu to the famous Pali. Not many see the "upside-down-falls" there, as their play occurs only in certain weather conditions. The name Nu`uanu means "cool height." Before the spread of houses with their gardens, and forestation efforts, the upper height of the valley was a barren windswept pass to the windward side. In 1795 King Kamehameha I pursued the warriors of Oahu to the abrupt end of Nu`uanu Valley, called the Pali. Here the retreating remnants of the local defenders of unknown numbers died in a last stand, some being pushed over the cliffs, others jumping to their deaths. The steep ridges of the Ko`olau terminate abruptly on the eastern side of the upper valley in ravines which, after heavy rains, spout torrents that are caught by trade winds to form plumes of spray that disperse in upward flying mist. These are the upside-down falls of Nu`uanu, known to the Hawaiians as Waipuhia, or "blown water," a scenic, never-to-be-forgotten wonder. Ref. TUT Books, "Incredible Hawaii" Text by, Terence Barrow Diamond Head: symbol of Hawaii HAWAII`S GIBRALTAR IS A MAJESTIC VOLCANIC CONE over looking Waikiki, some 760 feet high and about 300,000 years old. It has captured the imagination of visitors to Hawaii from the l8th century to the present time. Mark Twain said Diamond Head was the most stirring sight he had ever seen. The Hawaiians called Diamond Head "Leahi" which means Place of Fire or possibly "brow of the ahi fish." In 1792 John Sykes, first mate under Captain George Vancouver, sketched Diamond Head as "Point of Whytete Bay, Woohoo." The old spelling for Waikiki and Oahu are recognizable. Earlier, in 1786, Captain Portlock had called this impressive sentinel "Point Rose." By whatever name, Diamond Head commands the coast about Honolulu and has been an important fortress. The name Diamond Head originated when roving sailors found on the slopes calcite crystals which some people call "Pele`s diamonds." Sparkling in the sun, these crystals deceived the sailors who thought they had found diamonds. Kamehameha then made the crater tabu until John Young, his European advisor, told him the crystals were worthless. On the western slopes of Diamond Head on the site of the La Pietra mansion (now The Hawaii School for Girls) stood a stone temple, heiau, where Kamehameha I and his predecessors made bloody sacrifice to the God of War. Ref. TUT Books, "Incredible Hawaii" Text by, Terence Barrow `IOLANI PALACE A Hawaiian national treasure and the only official state residence of royalty in the United States, `Iolani Palace was the residence of the Hawaiian Kingdom`s last two manarchs -- King David Kalakaua, who built the Palace in 1882, and his sister and successor, Queen Liliuokalani. During the monarchy period, the Palace was the center of social and political activity in the Kingdom of Hawaii. Though the grandeur of the Palace was neglected after the overthrow of the monarchy, restoration began in the 1970s through efforts of concerned individuals. Restoration and preservation continues, and, as a result, today`s visitors to this National Historic Landmark in downtown Honolulu enjoy one of the most precise historic restorations and learn much about Hawaii history and heritage. Polynesian Lava, P.O. Box 2810 , Ewa Beach 96706 email: admin@polynesianlava.com