Makaha, Oahu

Makaha at a Glance

Makaha is a small town located on Oahu’s west coast, about 34 miles (55 km) northwest of Honolulu in the state of Hawaii. It’s a residential community and besides a supermarket and some small restaurants and convenience stores, there isn’t much else there.

The town’s main attraction is its beach, mainly among surfers. In fact, Makaha Beach is among the most popular beaches in the world. Every year surf events take place here, such as the Town and Country Pro, the Buffalo's Big Board Classic and the Rell Sunn's Menehune Surfing Championships. It’s an ideal spot for surfers of all skill levels. Wave heights reach anywhere from 2 feet just behind the reef to 30+ feet at the so-called Makaha Bowl. Some of the biggest waves ever have been ridden here, including Greg Noll’s famous ride during the huge swell of 1969 when waves were between 40 to 50 feet high.

The beach wide and is also a nice spot for sunbathing and swimming. The best area for going into the water to just play and swim is the center of the beach, where there is no reef. The waves are calmest during the summer when there may be no surf at all. The high waves usually occur in the winter months. When the surf is up, besides the waves the beach is known for its strong rip currents. Then it is recommended to stay out of the water.

Another popular activity at Makaha Beach is diving. The Makaha Caverns is a great dive spot featuring a series of arches, caverns and overhanging ledges, located just outside of the surfing area. But usually diving is only possible during calm waters.

Makaha encompasses 5.2 square miles (13.6 km²). The town’s total population in the 2000 census was 7,753. The population density was 3,324.7 people per square mile (1,284.7/km²). The racial makeup was the following: 19.00% White, 1.39% African American, 0.71% Native American, 15.23% Asian, 21.90% Pacific Islander, 1.63% from other races, and 40.14% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 17.86% of the population.

The median income for a household was $35,674, and the median income for a family was $36,563. Males had a median income of $34,081 versus $24,606 for females. The per capita income was $14,267. About 23.9% of the population was below the poverty line.

Makaha in Bullet Points

Residential community and besides a supermarket and some small restaurants and convenience stores, there isn’t much else there
Town’s main attraction is its beach, mainly among surfers
Every year surf events take place here
Some of the biggest waves ever have been ridden here

Makaha Location

Makaha is a small town located on Oahu’s west coast, about 34 miles (55 km) northwest of Honolulu.

Makaha Map (top)

Makaha Weather (top)

Now
80°F
Windchill:
80°F
Mostly Cloudy
Location: Waianae, HI, US
Wind: 10 mph NE
Humidity: 40%
Visibility: 0.1 mi
Pressure: 30.02 in falling
Sunrise: 6:38 am
Sunset: 6:42 pm Thu
Hi: 79°F
Low: 66°F
Scattered Showers
Fri
Hi: 80°F
Low: 67°F
PM Showers