Archive · July 13, 2026
PALI
say it: PAH-lee
A cliff, precipice, steep slope; an obstacle or difficulty
What it means
Pali (pah-lee) refers to a steep cliff, precipice, or slope—the kind of dramatic volcanic formation that defines Hawaiian geography. It can describe a rocky face of land or, more figuratively, any steep obstacle or difficulty that stands in your way.
In Hawaiian thought, a pali is not just a physical barrier but also a metaphor for challenges that require courage and clear thinking to overcome. The word carries both the weight of difficulty and the nobility of facing what stands before you.
How to use it
You’ll find pali woven through Hawaiian place names and in conversations about the land:
Pali Notch — The famous ridgeline between windward and leeward Oʻahu, where trade winds rush through the natural passage.
Why this word matters
Hawaiʻi’s pali are part of every islander’s life—you see them from the road, hike near them, navigate around them. They shape how communities are connected and sometimes divided by the land itself.
A pali is a reminder that some barriers can be crossed only with intention and respect for the ʻāina that shapes us.
When Hawaiians speak of overcoming a pali, they’re speaking of resilience. The word holds centuries of navigation—both literal and spiritual—across the volcanic shoulders of these islands.
Sources
Pali is documented in the Pukui-Elbert Hawaiian Dictionary (Nā Puke Wehewehe ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi) as one of the foundational geographical and metaphorical terms in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi. The word appears in place names across all islands and in Hawaiian literary traditions spanning centuries.