In order to claim this Earthcache, Read the information below and submit your answers to the questions under the How to Log this Earthcache section. There is no physical container. Observe the best you can. The objective is to learn and have fun.
Aloha! Welcome to Nu'uanu Pali!
The Legend of the Pali Notches:
The Pali Notches are associated with the Battle of Nuʻuanu in 1795 during Kamehameha I's conquest of the islands. A local legend, though disputed by some, suggests the notches were carved by Oahu warriors and Kaʻiana, one of Kamehameha's leaders who defected to Kalanikūpule, as a place to station canons for defense against Kamehameha. The prevailing legend attributes the creation of the notches to Oahu warriors under Kalanikūpule, with the help of Kaʻiana, who defected from Kamehameha's army. The notches were supposedly carved to house canons for defending against Kamehameha's invasion.
In 1795, Kamehameha launched an invasion of Oahu to unite it under his rule. Kalanikūpule, the last chief of Oahu, chose to defend his kingdom at Nuʻuanu Valley, a strategically located area that offered a pass through the Kohala mountain range. The battle at Nuʻuanu was fierce, resulting in a devastating loss for Kalanikūpule's forces. Many were pushed or jumped over the cliffs of the Pali, a drop of over 1,000 feet. The Pali Lookout, where the battle took place, is a prominent landmark and the site of the infamous battle. The area's strategic location and the subsequent battle have contributed to its historical significance. While the legend surrounding the Pali Notches is a popular part of the narrative, some experts argue that the notches are likely natural geological formations, and the human story is a legend. Despite the debate, the Pali Notches and the Battle of Nuʻuanu remain important aspects of Hawaiian history and culture.
What is geological dike?
In geology, a dike (or dyke) is a sheet of rock that forms in a fracture of a pre-existing rock body, often cutting across other rock layers. In other words, they are tabular or sheet-like rock bodies that forms when molten magma or sediment fills a fracture in pre-existing rock. Dikes can be classified into two main types based on their origin:
1. Magmatic Dikes: These are formed when magma intrudes into a crack and solidifies, creating an igneous rock body that cuts across the surrounding rock layers. They are typically more resistant to weathering than the surrounding rock, which can lead to their exposure as natural walls or ridges over time.
2. Clastic Dikes: Also known as sedimentary dikes, these form when sediment fills a pre-existing crack in the rock. This can occur through processes such as fluidized injection, where overburden pressure causes sediment to liquefy and fill fractures, or through desiccation cracks in arid environments.
Dikes are important geological features because they:
- Provide insights into the Earth's internal structure and volcanic plumbing systems.
- Can indicate areas of crustal extension, as they often form in swarms when the crust is pulled apart.
- Can be used to date geological events, as they are younger than the rocks they intrude.
How to claim this Earthcache:
A. Include your Geo-nickname and the GC number on your message to the CO>
1. After reading the information above, what type of dikes do you believe are the Pali Notches?
2. What two forces are constantly eroding the rock face and helping expose the dikes??
3. Include a picture of a piece of paper with your Geo-nickname, or anything that identifies you, anywhere in the lookout area. Do not include your picture in your message and not in your log. This requirement is not optional
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Mahalo to all the awesome locals that I met during my recent visit!
Sources:
1. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs Facebook page, Na Wahi Pana Series, September 6,2022.
2. Geologyin.com.
3. Wikipedia article on Pali Notches.
4. CO’s knowledge of geology.